OUT WITH GUN AND CAMERAorThe Boy Hunters in the Mountains

By Captain Ralph Bonehill

CONTENTS

CHAPTERS I. Friends and Enemies II. Another Outing Proposed III. A Lesson in Photography IV. What Happened at the Circus V. Something About a Lion VI. Something About a Chimpanzee VII. Up the River VIII. The First Night Out IX. Into the Rapids X. The Cabin in the Woods XI. A Strange Meeting XII. The Circus Boy's Story XIII. Some Fine Fishing XIV. After Deer with Gun and Camera XV. In the Mountains at Last XVI. A Visit from the Enemy XVII. What Happened Under the CliffXVIII. A Fight with Two Wildcats XIX. Some Unlooked-For Game XX. On the Mountain Side XXI. Adrift in the Woods XXII. The Spink Crowd AgainXXIII. A Bear and a Lion XXIV. A Notable Capture XXV. The Two Foxes XXVI. More of a MysteryXXVII. An Old Friend AppearsXVIII. After a Black Bear XXIX. The Bottom of a Mystery XXX. Good-By to the Boy Hunters

PREFACE

My Dear Lads:

This story is complete in itself, but forms volume four in a lineknown by the general title of "Boy Hunters Series, " taking inadventures with rod, rifle, shotgun and camera, in the field, the forest, and on river and lake, both in winter and summer. 

My main object in writing this series of books is to acquaintlads with life in the open air, and cause them to become interestedin nature. In the first volume, called "Four Boy Hunters, " Itold how the youths organized their little club and went forthfor a summer vacation; in the second book, "Guns and Snowshoes, "I gave the particulars of a midwinter outing, with its heavy fallsof snow, its blizzard, and its most remarkable Christmas in thewilds. 

With the coming of another summer the boys determined to go forthonce more, and what they did then has been told in the third book, entitled "Young Hunters of the Lake. " They had a glorious time, in spite of some enemies who tried to do them harm, and they settledthe matter of certain "ghost" to their entire satisfaction. 

The settling of the ghost question took them home before the summervacation was half over, and then the boys began to wonder whatthey had best do next. But that question was soon answered byan announcement made by the father of one of the lads; and onceagain they went forth, this time, however, to the distant mountains. Here they hunted and fished to their hearts' content, and likewisetook a large number of photographs, some of the pictures causingthem a good deal of trouble and peril to obtain. 

Trusting that all boys who love to hunt and to fish and to takepictures with a camera will find this volume to their liking, I remain, Your sincere friend, Captain Ralph Bonehill. 

CHAPTER I

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

"Come on, Shep. "

"Where are you going, Whopper?"

"For a row on the river. I've been aching for a row for about a year. "

"That suits me, " answered Sheppard Reed, as he hopped down from thefence upon which he had been sitting. "What about the others?"

"Snap said he would meet me at the dock, " continued Frank Dawson, otherwise known as Whopper. "I don't know where Giant is. "

"I saw him about an hour ago. He was on an errand for his mother---saidhe was going to Perry's store. "

"Then we can look in Perry's. If he isn't there I'll run over to hishouse for him. It's a grand day for a row. "

"Yes, we must get him if we can, " went on Sheppard Reed thoughtfully. "I've got something to tell the crowd. "

"To tell the crowd?" repeated Frank Dawson curiously. "What?"

"I'll tell you when we are all together, Whopper. "

"Something about Ham Spink? I met him last night and we almost hada fight. Oh, that dude makes me sick!"

"No, this isn't about Ham, or any of that crowd. It concerns-----But I'll tell you later, " and Sheppard Reed put on an air of greatsecrecy. 

"All right. If you don't want to tell I suppose I'll have to wait, "said Whopper disappointedly. "But you might tell me what's on yourmind. "

"I want to tell the whole crowd at once, " answered his chum. "Thennobody can say somebody else was told first. "

"I see. Well, you go down to the dock and meet Snap, and I'll hustlearound and stir up Giant, " went on Frank Dawson. 

"I was going to have you all over to my house to-night, to tell you, "explained Sheppard. "But I might as well speak of it when we aretogether on the river. "

"Say, you must have something wonderful on your mind!" cried Whopper. "I'm dying by inches to know what it is. I'll find Giant somehow, and have him at the dock inside of a quarter of an hour sure. " Andaway he ran on his errand, while the youth who had the importantannouncement to make turned in the direction of the water-front. 

To those who have read the former volumes in this "_Boy HuntersSeries_" the lads who have been speaking will need no furtherintroduction. For the benefit of others let me state that SheppardReed was the son of a doctor who had a large practice in and aroundthe town of Fairview. Shep, as he was usually called, was a brightand manly youth, and one who loved life out of doors. 

Frank Dawson was a lad who had moved to the town some years before, and by his winning manner had made himself many friends. The boyhad a habit of exaggerating when telling anything, and this hadearned for him the nickname of Whopper---even though Frank nevertold anything in the shape of a deliberate falsehood. As someof his friends said, "you could tell Frank's whoppers a mile off, "which was a pretty stiff "whopper" in itself. 

These two boys had two close chums, Charley Dodge, usually calledSnap---why nobody could tell---and Will Caslette, known as Giant, because of his small stature. Charley, or Snap, as I shall call him, was the son of one of the richest men of the district, his fatherowning a part interest in a sawmill and a large summer hotel, besides many acres of valuable forest and farm lands. Giant wasthe son of a widow who had once been poor but was now incomfortable circumstances. Though small for his age, the lad wasas manly as any of his chums, and they thought the world of thelittle fellow. 

The town of Fairview was a small but prosperous community, locatedon the Rocky River, ten miles above a sheet of water known as LakeCameron. The place boasted of a score of stores, several churches, a volunteer fire department, and a railroad station---the lattera spot of considerable activity during the summer months. 

All of the boys loved to camp out, and about a year before this taleopens had organized an outing or gun club, as related in detail inthe volume called "_Four Boy Hunters_. " They journeyed to the shoresof Lake Cameron and then to another body of water called Firefly Lake, and had plenty of fun and not a few adventures. During their outingthey had considerable trouble with a dudish sport---from town namedHamilton Spink, and his cronies, and were in great peril from adisastrous forest fire. 

When school opened the young hunters returned to their studies, butwith the approach of the winter holidays their thoughts turned againto the woods and water, and once more they sallied forth, as relatedin full in "_Guns and Snowshoes_. " They found game in plenty, andalso ran the perils of a great blizzard, and got lost in the snow. 

"Shall we go out again?" was the question asked when the next summervacation was at hand, and all answered in the affirmative. This time, as related in the volume called "_Young Hunters of the Lake_, " theyventured considerably farther from home---to the shore of a lakesaid to be visited by a much-dreaded ghost. There they again wenthunting and fishing to their hearts' content, and once more hadtrouble with Ham Spink and his cronies. They saw the "ghost, " andwere at first badly scared, but in the end solved the awful mysteryby proving that the "ghost" was nothing but a man---a relative ofGiant, who had lost his mind and disappeared some time before. Theman was restored to reason, and through his testimony Giant's motherobtained some money which had been tied up in the courts. 

The finding of the man had brought the boy hunters back to Fairviewbefore their summer vacation was half finished. What to do next wasthe question. 

"We ought to go somewhere---staying at home is dead slow, " was theway one of the lads expressed himself; but for a week or more nothingwas done. 

Whistling gaily to himself, Shep Reed hurried down to the lake front. As he came out on one of the docks he caught sight of Snap, surroundedby half a dozen other lads, all carrying various bundles, and allequipped with guns and fishing-rods. 

"Ham Spink and his cronies, " murmured the doctor's son to himself. "Wonder where they are bound?"

"Oh, we are going to have the outing of our lives this trip, " HamSpink was declaring in his usual lordly fashion. "It's going to bethe finest outing ever started from this town. "

"Where are you going?" asked Snap curiously. 

"Do you suppose we are going to tell you?" demanded another boy, alad named Carl Dudder. "Not much! We don't want you to come sneakingafter us, to shoot the game that we stir up. "

"We never sneaked after you, " cried Snap rather indignantly. "And wehave always been able to stir up our own game. "

"Bah! I know better. "

"Of course they have taken our game---more than once, " came from HamSpink. "And if they don't shoot our game they scare it off, so thatwe don't have a chance to bring it down. "

"What you say, Ham Spink, is absolutely untrue, and you know it, " putin Shep, brushing through the crowd. "We have never in our livestouched any game that was coming to you or your crowd. We-----"

"Say, do you want to fight?" cried Ham Spink, working himself up intoa quick passion; and he doubled up his fists as he spoke. 

"No; but I can defend myself, " answered the doctor's son just asquickly. "I am not afraid of you. "

"And we are not afraid of ghosts, either, " was Snap's sarcasticcomment. 

These last words made Ham Spink and one or two of his cronies furious. They had been up to the distant lake where the "ghost" had heldforth, and had been so badly frightened that they had come home, "on the run, " as Whopper expressed it now that the matter had beenfully explained, Ham and his followers felt decidedly sheepish overit consequently, to mention the affair was as bad as to wave a redrag in front of a bull. 

"You shut up about ghosts!" cried Ham, shaking his fist in Snap'sface. 

"Say, Ham, let us give 'em a dressing down before we leave, " whisperedCarl Dudder. He looked around the dock. "Nobody here but ourselves. "

"That's the talk, " put in another of the Spink crowd. "They deserveit for trying to crow over us. "

Shep and Snap heard the talk and looked at each other. They endeavoredto back away in the direction of the street, but before they couldaccomplish this the entire Spink crowd threw down their guns, rodsand bundles and advanced upon them. 

"Keep back!" cried the doctor's son. 

"If you hit us you'll take the consequences!" added Snap. 

An instant later Ham Spink and his cohorts closed in. Snap and Shepwere caught, front and back, and several blows were quickly exchanged. It was an uneven contest, and the doctor's son and his chum mighthave fared badly had not a sudden cry rang out:

"Look at that, Giant! They are trying to maul Snap and Shep!" Thecry came from Whopper. 

"Let up there!" added Will Caslette. And then, as small as he was, he ran out on the dock and toward the center of the melee. Frankcame with him, and each caught one of the Spink faction by the armand swung him backward. 

"Good! Here are the others!" panted Shep. "Give it to 'em, fellows;they started it!"

The arrival of the pair somewhat disconcerted the Spink crowd, andthey stopped fighting. They were still six to four, but to handlefour was only half as easy as to handle two. The others lookedinquiringly at their leader. 

"Give it to 'em!" muttered Ham; but even as he spoke he edged to theupper end of the dock, past Giant and Whopper. 

"Give it to 'em yourself, " murmured a follower who had received ablow in the eye. "I guess I won't fight any more to-day. "

As quickly as it could be done, Whopper and Giant ranged alongsideof Snap and the doctor's son. They gazed defiantly at the crowd thatconfronted them. For a brief spell there was an ominous silence. 

"Say, did we come here to fight or to start on our outing?" askeda lad of the Spink crowd. He was tall and thin, and evidently verynervous. He was a newcomer in the town and knew but little aboutthe quarrels of bygone days. 

"Don't waste time here, " added another youth. "We can finish withthem when we come back. "

"You are afraid, now that we are four to six, " said Snap. "Youwere willing enough to pitch into Shep and me when we were alone. "

"Oh, give us a rest!" growled Ham Spink, not knowing what else tosay. He caught up the things he had been carrying. "Come on, fellows, " he added, and almost ran from the dock. 

With great rapidity, for they were afraid Snap and his chums wouldcharge upon them, the others of the Spink coterie took up their guns, rods and bundles and followed their leader. 

"Let us go after 'em!" cried Whopper. "We can knock them into themiddle of next Christmas, and I know it!"

"That's the talk!" cried the plucky Giant. "Let's go and makemincemeat of 'em!" And he started to follow those who had retreated. 

"No use, boys!" called out Snap. "Come back. "

"Why not?" demanded Whopper. 

"They are going aboard the _Mary Raymond_. Ham said so. There sheis now, with a lot of other passengers. See, they are heading forthat dock already. "

"Where are they going, anyway?" asked Giant as he halted. 

"I know, " whispered Whopper. "Just heard about it. They are goingto camp out behind Lake Narsac, in the Windy Mountains. "

"The Windy Mountains?" ejaculated the doctor's son in evidentastonishment. "Did you say the Windy Mountains, Whopper?"

"I did. Why, what's the matter, Shep?"

"Well, if that don't beat the Dutch!" And then Shep shook his headin a manner that indicated something did not suit him at all. 

CHAPTER II

ANOTHER OUTING PROPOSED

"Will you be so highly condescending and much obliging as to open thetrapdoor of your mind and let us know what it is that beats theDutch?" demanded Giant, after he and his chums had looked at thedoctor's son for several seconds in silence. 

"Why, yes, of course, " answered Shep. "But er---it all fits in withwhat I was going to tell you about in the first place. "

"And that was-----" burst out Whopper eagerly. 

"Wait till we are out on the river, away from the town folks. I don'twant everybody to know our business. "

"Great Scott! but Shep's got a secret!" burst out Snap. "What isit---a treasure hunt, or a new way to make diamonds?"

"Now quit fooling, and come on out in the boat, and you'll soon knowall about it, " replied the doctor's son. 

"Then we have got to wait?" asked Giant reproachfully. 

"And when we are dying by inches to know, " added Whopper. 

"Yes, you've got to wait. So the sooner we get out on the river thebetter---if you are dying, as you say, " responded the doctor's son. 

While talking the four chums had been watching the departure of theHam Spink crowd from another dock. Soon the boat that carried thedudish bully and his cronies disappeared around a bend of the river. 

In a very few minutes Shep and his chums had their rowboat out. Theywere used to rowing together, and each took his accustomed place atthe oars. Shep gave the word, and like clockwork four blades droppedinto the water and the rowboat shot away from the dock. 

"Where shall we go?" asked Giant. 

"Let us row over to Lackney's orchard, " answered Snap. "Dandy applesthere---and Mr. Lackney told me we could help ourselves. "

"Suits me!" cried Whopper. "I'd rather eat apples than go to afire. Us three can eat while Shep does the spouting. "

"Humph! perhaps I'd do a little eating myself, " came from the doctor'sson. 

It was an ideal day in midsummer, and all of the lads were in thebest of spirits. As they rowed along they discussed the encounterwith the Spink faction. 

"I wish they'd leave us alone, " was Shep's comment. "I am gettingso I fairly hate the sight of Ham and Carl Dudder. "

"So do I, " added Whopper. "But they don't intend to leave us alone, and that is all there is to it. "

"I am sorry they are going up into the Windy Mountains, " said Shep. "It will-----" And then he stopped short. 

"Say, Shep, if you keep on like that we'll pitch you overboard, "cried Whopper. "If you've got anything to tell, tell it, or elsekeep still. "

"Wait till we get to Lackney's orchard, " was all the doctor's sonwould reply. 

They soon came to a bend in the river and, crossing here, drew upto a spot where some trees and bushes overhung the water. Allleaped ashore and Snap tied the craft fast to a stake. Then thechums strolled up to some near-by apple trees, selected some fruitthat suited them, and threw themselves on the ground to enjoy theirfeast. 

"Now we are ready to listen to your imperial majesty's secret, "observed Giant as he munched a juicy apple. 

"Yes, let us in on it, by all means, " added Snap. 

"And don't say it's about lessons for the coming fall, " put inWhopper with a mock-serious look. 

"Lessons!" burst out Giant. "Perish the thought!"

"Well, to start with, " began the doctor's son. "How would you liketo go camping again?"

"Fine!"

"Great!"

"Couldn't be better!"

"Just as I thought, " continued Shep. "And just what I told myfather. He wants us to go out, you know, " and Shep's eyes beganto twinkle. 

"He wants us to go out?" asked Whopper. "You mean he is willing foryou to go?"

"No, he told me to ask you if you wanted to go out---for him. "

"Mystery on mystery, " came from Giant. "For him? I don't understand. "

"Neither do I, " came simultaneously from Snap and Whopper. 

"Will, it's this way, to tell you the whole story. Can you keep asecret?"

"Of course!"

"Well, then, my father has become interested in a big land companythat has procured a large reservation of land in and along the WindyMountains. The company isn't going to do much with the reservationthis year, but next year it is going to build camps up by the lake, and advertise it as a sort of private hunting and fishing resort. They hope to get the better class of sportsmen up here from thecities and make considerable money. "

"Yes; but how does that affect us?" asked Giant impatiently. 

"Wait and you'll see. My father says the success of the scheme willdepend very largely on how it is presented to the public, and he andtwo of the other men have decided to do some high-class advertisingof the project---little booklets and folders, and all that. Thesebooklets and folders are to be filled with photo-engravings, showingthe pretty spots in the mountains, and also pictures of the animalsand fish a sportsman can get. "

"And does your father want us to get the photographs?" asked Snap. 

"That's it---if we care to do it. He can't go out, and neither canthose other men, and they don't know who to get. Of course, theycould hire a professional photographer, but he would only takescenery, most likely, while what my father wants particularly ispictures of good hunting and fishing, and pictures of real camplife. He thinks we are just the boys to get the right kind ofpictures-----"

"So we are, if we had the right kind of cameras, " broke in Whopper. 

"Yes; give me a high-class camera and plenty of films or plates, and I'll take all the photos he wants, " added Snap. 

"I haven't got to the end of my story yet, " resumed the doctor'sson. "Father knows that the pictures---I mean the right kind---willbe worth money, and so he said, if we'd go out, and do the very bestwe could about getting the photos, he would furnish the cameras andplates, and would pay all the expenses of the trip. "

"Whoop! hurrah! that suits me down to the ground!" cried Whopper. "Let's start to-morrow---no, this afternoon!"

"Offer accepted with pleasure, " came from Giant. 

"Do you really think we can get the photographs your father wants, Shep?" asked Snap. "It wouldn't be fair to take the offer up andthen disappoint him. "

"He thinks we can do it. He says he will get us the proper outfit, and before we start he'll have a professional photographer, who hasmade a study of landscapes, give us pointers on how to get the bestresults. He knows we can take pretty good pictures already. "

"In that case, I say, let us accept the offer, by all means, "answered Snap. 

"How soon can we start?" demanded Whopper. 

"I asked my father that, and he said most likely by next Monday. Hewill want to give us all some instructions before we leave. And hewants us to read this book, " and Shep drew a small volume from hispocket. 

"What is it?"

"A book on how to take the best photographs of wild animals. "

"Humph! It's easy to get a picture---if you can find the animal, "was Whopper's comment. 

"This tells how to get a picture if you can't find the animal. "

"What!"

"Exactly. Here are diagrams showing how to rig up a camera and aflashlight, so that if the animal comes along in the dark and shovesa certain string the light goes off and so does the camera, and thepicture is taken. If you want to, you can bait the string. "

"Say, that's great!" cried Giant. 

"I'd like to lay the game low---after I had the picture, " wasSnap's comment. 

"We can do that, too---sometimes. "

After that the doctor's son gave his chums more details of what hisparent had said. All the boys were sure they could go out again, for their return home from their previous trip had not been expectedby their parents. 

"Were you thinking we might meet Ham Spink and his crowd?" askedGiant during a short lull in the talk. 

"Yes, " answered Shep. "And if we do, they'll sure try to maketrouble for us. "

"I am not afraid of them, " said Snap. "If they don't keep theirdistance we'll-----"

"Give 'em as good as they send, " finished Whopper. "But greatCaesar's tombstone! just think of going camping again!" And in hisjoy the youth turned a handspring on the grass. As he arose Giantthrew an apple core that took him in the ear. Then Whopper threwa core in return, hitting Shep. A general fusillade of coresfollowed, and the lads ended by chasing each other around theorchard. Then they trooped back to the rowboat. 

"Shall we go and talk to your father?" asked Snap on the way back. 

"I think he'd like it if you would, " answered the doctor's son. "I'llsee if he is disengaged. "

Dr. Reed was busy with a lady caller and the boys had to wait aquarter of an hour. Then he came into the sitting-room and shookhands warmly. 

"So you are willing to undertake the commission to get pictures, eh?"he said after a few words. "Well, I am glad of it, for I know youcan do it if you'll try. The outing ought to just suit you. "

"It certainly will, " answered Snap. 

"I'll get the cameras at once and likewise the other things. Let mesee, what cameras have you now?"

The boys told him, and he made some notes in a book. A general talkfollowed, and the physician told the lads just what he would likebest to have. He cautioned them to keep quiet concerning the landcompany's projects. 

"We want to spring this on the general public as a surprise, " heexplained. "If we don't keep it quiet some other folks may try toget ahead of us. To my mind our section of the Windy Mountains isan ideal one for city sportsmen, being wild and yet not too wild, and having some charming spots for camping. "

"And hunting and fishing ought to be good, " added Whopper. "I'veheard Jed Sanborn say so. " Jed Sanborn was an old hunter who knewevery foot of territory for miles around the river and its lakes. 

"I suppose we can take along the same general outfit we had before, "remarked Whopper. 

"I will get you a new and larger tent, " answered the doctor, "anda few other things I think you ought to have. " Can you go to Rallingsto-morrow?"

"Rallings?" asked several. 

"Yes. I will pay your way. I want you to go to visit Mr. Jally, the photographer. He is the one to give you a few lessons inphotography. "

The boys could all go, and it was decided to visit Railings early inthe morning. The physician said he would give his son a letter ofinstructions for the photographer. 

"It would be a good thing if you could stay overnight, " said Dr. Reed. "Then you could have two days instructions instead of one. You could stay at my sister's house. "

"That would be jolly!" cried Shep. He loved his aunt and knew shewould make him and his chums welcome. 

"I guess I can stay---anyway, I'll find out, " answered Snap; andGiant and Whopper said the same. 

Little did any of the boys dream of what strange happenings that visitto Railings was to bring forth. 

CHAPTER III

A LESSON IN PHOTOGRAPHY

By consulting a time-table the boys found that a train for Railingsleft at ten minutes after eight in the morning. The distance to thecity was thirty-three miles and the run on the country railroad tookthe best part of an hour and a quarter. 

Snap, Whopper and Giant were on hand ten minutes before train time. They found the doctor's son ahead of them, and he had tickets for all. 

"Well, how did you make out at home?" was the question asked byseveral, and then it was learned that all had had an easy time of itpersuading their parents to let them go on the proposed outing to theWindy Mountains. 

"My folks told me to beware of ghosts, " said Snap with a grin. 

"We needn't beware if the ghost turns out to be like that other, "answered Giant. 

"My folks told me to keep out of trouble especially with Ham Spink'scrowd, " said Whopper. 

"Say, fellows, I reckon you have forgotten something, " said Shep. 

"Forgotten something?" queried Whopper. 

"Exactly. "

"What?"

"There's a circus at Rallings---to-day and tomorrow. "

"Why, so there is!" exclaimed Giant. "How queer we didn't rememberit before! Casso's United Railroad Shows. Do you suppose it isworth going to see?"

"I don't know. But as the admission is only twenty-five cents wemight take it in---if we get the chance. "

"Oh, let us take it in, by all means, " pleaded Whopper. "Why, I'mdying to see the elephants and acrobats and all that!"

"Seems to me you're dying pretty often lately, " answered Snap with asmile. "You ought to become a dyer by trade!" And then he ducked asWhopper made a playful pass at his head. 

When the train came along the lads found it well filled, mostly withcountry folks going to Railings to see the circus. They had tostand up part of the distance to the city. 

"Maybe the photographer will be so busy he won't want to bother givingus lessons, " said Snap. 

"Maybe, " answered the doctor's son. "We'll have to take our chances. "

Reaching Rallings, the boys hurried at once to the studio of thephotographer. They found Mr. Jally taking a family group of father, mother and three sons, and had to wait until the sitting was over. While they waited they watched the crowds on the street. 

"Going to be plenty of folks here to see the circus, " was Snap'scomment, and his words proved true, folks flocking in from everyquarter of the surrounding districts. 

When Mr. Jally was at liberty he read Dr. Reed's letter with interest. 

"The doctor mentioned this to me when he was in Rallings lastSaturday, " said the photographer. "I said I'd do what I could foryou lads. I am sorry it is circus day, as I am likely to be busy. But I'll give you all the time I can spare. "

"We can come to-morrow, too, " said Shep. "We are going to stayin Rallings over night. "

"Good! I think I can give you quite a few pointers in that time. Ibelieve you all know something about photographs already. "

"Yes; here are some of our snapshots, " said the doctor's son, and hebrought forth the pictures the boys had taken on their various outings. 

"These are not bad, " pronounced the photographer after an examination. "Some of them are very good. They indicate that you have it in youto take some good pictures. " And then he went over the printscarefully one by one, telling them which seemed to be under exposedand which over, and which had not been properly developed and printed. Then he went into the question of grouping and centering and focusing, and told them how best to time their exposures. He was interruptedtwice by girls who wanted their pictures taken, and then he toldthem a great deal about the values of lights and shades, and aboutsuitable backgrounds. Then he brought forth an album of outdoorviews and told them to study what was written under each picture. 

"There is the time of day and the day of the month, " he said, "andalso the condition of the weather. These figures show the 'stop'of the shutter, and these the length of the exposure. Have you atimecard for exposures?"

"No; but we are going to get one, " answered Shep. 

"They are quite valuable; but even with a card one must often usehis own judgment as to just what stop to use and how much time. If you are particularly anxious about a picture you had better taketwo or three exposures of it, instead of only one. Even the bestof photographers occasionally fail to get good results on a firsttrial. "

After that Mr. Jally brought forth several cameras he had used inoutdoor work and explained how they might be used to the bestadvantage in taking different kinds of pictures and under variousconditions. 

"Strange as it may seem, " he said, "no two scenes can be handledalike. In one the background may be very light and in the other verydark. One day the atmosphere may be very clear, the next it may bevery dense. "

"Yes, we know that, and we have found out that clouds over the sunmake a big difference, " said Snap. 

The boys spent the balance of the morning and nearly all of theafternoon with the photographer, and learned many things of whichthey had been formerly ignorant. He recommended that they purchaseand study several books on photography, and this they agreed to do. 

"I see by the letter that Dr. Reed wishes me to pick out yourcameras, " said Mr. Jally. "I am going to the city Saturday andwill get them and leave them at the doctor's house Saturday evening. "

"And will you get the films and plates and other things, too?"questioned Whopper. 

"Yes. The doctor wants a complete outfit, including a daylightdeveloping tank, and all the chemicals for developing and printing. Then you can see what your pictures look like before you leave camp, and if a picture doesn't suit you can take it over again. "

"Not if it's a wild beast, " answered Giant with a grin. 

"In the case of wild animals you had better save your films or platesuntil you get home. Developing in camp is not conducive to the bestwork, and you might lose the very film or plate you wanted the most. "

"Yes, I know something about that, " said Whopper. "I once took abeautiful picture---at least, I thought it was beautiful---of aflock of sheep, and when I tried to develop the plate in a hurryI got one end light-struck, so it was no good. "

"Yes, and once, when I was in a hurry to develop a roll of films Ihad of a military parade, " said Snap, "I got the hypo in the tankinstead of the developing solution, and that was the end of thatroll. "

"This is a good rule to remember, " said the photographer. "Neveropen the shutter of your camera until you are certain you are readyto take the picture, and never attempt to develop a plate or a filmuntil you are sure your chemicals are properly mixed, and until youare sure you have everything at hand with which to work, and untilyou are sure the plate or film is properly protected from the light. "

The boys were surprised when Mr. Jally announced that it was suppertime and that he must go home. 

"Gracious! And I told my aunt we'd be to supper by six o'clock!"exclaimed Shep. "We'll have to leg it to her house. "

"Come again to-morrow at nine o'clock, " said the photographer, andthis the chums promised to do. 

"Well, I've learned a whole lot to-day, " said Snap as they walkedalong. "I am sure I can take a much better picture than formerly. "

"And I've learned one little lesson, " came from Whopper. "Afterthis I am not going to take so many snapshots of landscapes. I amgoing to take time exposures, and put my camera on a tripod, andstudy the scene through the ground glass, to get the best viewpossible. "

Mrs. Carson, the doctor's sister, had given the boys their dinner, and now she had supper on the table waiting for them. Theirexperiments of the afternoon had made them hungry, and all"pitched in" with a vigor that made the good woman smile. 

"What do you intend to do this evening?" she asked. 

"We are going to the circus, Aunt Jennie, " answered Shep. "Fathersaid we might go. "

"I thought as much. Don't stay out too late. "

"We'll come home as soon as the show is over. "

"Well, if it gets too late I'll put the key out for you---under thefront-door mat, " said Mrs. Carson. "I fancy you can find your wayto your rooms. "

"Certainly, " answered Snap. 

"You needn't stay up for us, Aunt Jennie, " said Shep, who knew hisrelative was in the habit of retiring early. 

"I am not going to bed so very early, Shep. I am afraid some ofthose tramps who follow the circus will come and rob me. I heardthe town was full of the good-for-nothings. "

"You had better lock up good after we are gone, " said Giant. 

"No fear but what I'll do that, " answered Mrs. Carson. 

"We'll try not to wake you up when we come in, aunty. "

"I'll hear you, never fear. And, Shep, if you are hungry when youget back, you'll find a jar of cookies in the pantry, and a pitcherof milk in the icebox. "

"Good for you!" cried the doctor's son, and he ran around the tableand gave his aunt a hug and a kiss. "You know what boys like, don'tyou?"

The four chums were soon on their way to the circus grounds, locatedon the outskirts of Railings. Here they found erected a large maintent and several smaller ones, all lit up by numerous gasolenetorches. At one side of the main tent was a side show, with numerouspictures hung between high poles. Near the entrance to the bigshow was a ticket wagon, and here a long line of people were awaitingtheir turns to get the bits of pasteboard which would admit them tothe wonders under the canvases. 

"Going to have a big crowd and no mistake, " observed Snap as he lookedat the folks flocking to the circus grounds. 

"I heard they had a big crowd this afternoon, too, " said Giant. 

"They had a big crowd and a big fight, " said a man standing near. 

"A fight?" queried Whopper. 

"Yes. It's a wonder somebody wasn't killed. "

"What was the fight about?" questioned the doctor's son. 

"Why, it seems the head boss of the show discharged four of the wagondrivers for drunkenness. The fellows wanted their full month'swages and the boss wouldn't give it to them. Then they got uglyand commenced to tamper with some of the animals. The boss calledsome of his other men, and all hands had a big fight right in themenagerie tent. One boy who was looking on got hit with a club, and a lady fainted, and they almost had a panic. Then the policetook a hand, and one of the fellows who was discharged was arrested. The other three got away. "

"Yes, and those other three men say they are coming back, " said afarmer who stood near and who had overheard the conversation. "Isaw them at supper time, back of Lum's hotel. They say they aregoing to get square on the circus boss, even if they have to breakup the whole show to do it. "

"I hope they don't come back to-night, " said Snap. "I don't wantto get mixed up in any quarrel. "

"Me either, " answered the farmer. "I want to see the show, andthat's all. "

"I don't think they'll come back, " said the first man who had spoken. "If they did the police would arrest them on sight. They'll go tothe next town and lay for the circus there. "

By this time the boys had worked their way up to the ticket wagon. Each purchased a ticket of admission, and a moment later all passedon to the inside of the main tent. 

CHAPTER IV

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CIRCUS

The lads had not seen a circus for two years, consequently the showhad much of the air of novelty about it for them. They spent halfan hour in the menagerie tent, inspecting the wild animals, andthen took seats in the main tent, as close to the rings as theycould get. Casso's United Railroad Shows was quite an affair, andthe performance was given in two rings at a time, as well as upona trapeze in the air between the tent poles. 

First there was the usual procession of horses and riders, elephantsand camels, ponies and carts and racing chariots, and then came theacts, all of more or less thrilling interest. There were sixclowns, and they kept the audience in a roar of laughter. 

"Say, this is an all-right show, " remarked Giant, after witnessingsome particularly thrilling bareback riding. "I wouldn't try to dothat trick on horseback for a thousand dollars. "

"Here come the acrobats, " said Snap as four bespangled performers raninto the rings and bowed and kissed their hands. Then the acrobatsclimbed up to two bars and did various "turns, " all more or lesshazardous. 

"Here comes a boy!" cried Shep, as another performer stepped into oneof the rings and bowed. 

"Just look how thin and pale he is, " whispered the doctor's son, whosat not far away from the youthful acrobat. 

"Looks as if he had had a spell of sickness, " added Giant. 

The youthful acrobat did look as if he had been sick and was not yetentirely over it. He walked slowly over to one of the ropes andgrasped it in his thin, white hands. 

"I---I can't go up, Mr. Jones, " the chums heard him whisper to theringmaster. 

"Yes, you can---and will, or I'll cut you with the whip!" was theringmaster's harsh answer, and he cracked his lash loudly. 

"I---I'm not well enough yet---my head is dizzy, " pleaded the youngacrobat. 

"Up you go!" snarled the ringmaster, and cracked his whip in such afashion that the end of the lash took the young acrobat in the calfof the leg, causing him to cry with pain. 

"What an outrage!" whispered Snap, clenching his fists. "Thatringmaster ought to be cowhided. "

Painfully the young acrobat started to pull himself up on the rope. The ringmaster glared at him and then cracked his whip once more, taking the young performer in the arm. 

"Shame! shame!" cried Snap; and "Shame!" added the other boysquickly. 

"Shut up, you boys!" growled the ringmaster, turning quickly. 

"Then let that boy alone, " answered Snap loudly. 

"If you don't shut up I'll have you put out!" roared the ringmaster. 

The young acrobat had climbed the rope a distance of ten feet. Nowhe appeared to grow dizzy, and of a sudden he lost his grip and fellin a heap in the sawdust ring. 

"You rat, you, I'll fix you!" hissed the ringmaster. "What dowe pay you for, anyway?"

He raised his long lash again, but before he could bring it down Snapand Shep leaped from their seats, quickly followed by Giant andWhopper and two well-dressed men. 

"Don't you hit that boy, " cried Snap loudly. "Don't you do it!"

"That's right---let the kid alone, " added one of the well-dressed men. 

"Go back to your seats---this is none of your affair, " growled theringmaster. 

"It is our affair, " put in the doctor's son. "That boy issick---everybody can see it. He can't perform. "

He purposely spoke in a loud voice, so that many heard him. At oncea murmur arose on all sides. 

"That's right---the kid is sick---take him out of the ring. "

"It's an outrage to try to make him perform. "

"The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ought tolook into this. "

Half a hundred men and boys stepped up to the ring, and for a fewminutes the discussion waxed warm. In the meantime the youngacrobat arose unsteadily to his feet. He was so weak he couldhardly stand. 

"Get back to the dressing-room, and be quick about it, " growledthe ringmaster to him. "I'll settle with you for this later. "

"Down that ringmaster! Give him his own lash!" came from a burlyfarmer. "We'll teach him to abuse a boy as is sick!"

This cry was taken up by several. Growing alarmed, the ringmastertook to his heals and disappeared in the direction of the dressing-tent, whence his young victim had already gone. Then the band struck up, and the manager of the show sent out the clowns to do an extra stuntto quiet the audience. 

"I'm afraid that ringmaster will have it in for that boy, " said Snapto his chums. 

"Poor boy!" murmured the doctor's son. "He didn't look as if hewas used to this hard life. I wish we could do something for him. "

"Let us try to look into the dressing-room and see what is goingon, " suggested Snap. 

The four boys watched their chance, and walking around the main tent, crawled under some slanting seats and then got close to the canvasthat divided the main tent from that used by the performers in"making up. "

"Grandy, you must know what became of the little rascal, " they heardthe ringmaster say. "He came in here. "

"So he did, sir, " was the answer of a canvasman. "But he didn't stay. He just caught up some clothing and dusted. "

"What! Ran away?"

"He dusted. I don't know where he went. "

"Humph! He wouldn't dare to run away. If he tries that game I'lltake his hide off when. I catch him. "

"He couldn't run very far, Mr. Jones---he was too weak. "

"Bah! He isn't sick. He wants to shirk his act, that's all. Justwait till I get hold of him---I'll teach him to get me into hot waterwith the audience!" fumed the ringmaster. 

"Well; I don't know where he went, " answered the canvasman, andresumed his work on the wall of the menagerie tent. Then theringmaster walked to another part of the dressing-tent to put onhis street clothing, for he did not dare appear in the ring againat that performance. 

"I hope that boy did run away, " said Snap as he and his friendsturned back to look at the rest of the performance. "I don't seewhy such a nice looking lad should travel with such a crowd as this. "

"Oh, I suppose some of the circus folks are good people, " answeredWhopper. "But not that ringmaster. "

"He ought to be tarred and feathered, and I'd like to help do it, "came from Giant. 

"Wonder who the boy is?" asked Shep. 

"He is down on the bills as Master Buzz, the Human Fly. Of course, Buzz isn't his real name. "

"No. It is more likely to be Smith or Jones, " answered Whopper. "I'dlike to see him and have a talk with him. "

"Perhaps we'll get a chance to-morrow. The circus is to stay twodays, you know, " said Snap. 

"Maybe the boy is all alone, " said Shep. "If he is it might be thathe would like it first rate if we would help him. "

The boys had lost interest in the show, and were not sorry when itcame to an end. They were among the first out, and hurried directlytoward Mrs. Carson's house. In doing this they had to cross therailroad track, and here a passing freight train held them up. The freight came to a halt, and backed to take on some empties. Then it proceeded slowly on its way. 

"Well, I never!" cried Snap suddenly as one of the empty cars cameinto view, under the rays of an electric light. "Look there!"

He pointed to the open doorway of a car. A figure stood there, wrapped in a coat several sizes too large for it---the figure of aslender boy with a whitish face, "Was that that boy acrobat?" gasped Whopper as the freight traingathered headway and cleared the crossing. 

"I think it was, " answered Snap. 

"So do I, " put in the doctor's son. 

"If it was, he is losing no time in getting out of town, " was Giant'scomment. "And I don't blame him. "

"He had on a coat big enough for a man, and his trousers wererolled up around his feet, " observed Snap. "Most likely he grabbedup the first suit he could find when he left the dressing-tent. "

"If it really was the boy, " said Whopper. "It looked like him, but we may be mistaken. "

It did not take the four youths long to reach Mrs. Carson's home. They went in softly, and each got a cookie and a drink of milk. Then they went to bed and slept soundly until morning. 

Promptly on time they presented themselves at Mr. Jally's studio, and found not only the photographer but also an assistant present. 

"I am going to leave my assistant in charge, " said Mr. Jally. "I'llgo out with you, and we'll have a practical lesson in getting outdoorviews. "

Taking two cameras with them, the photographer and the boys startedoff, to be gone until noon. They walked across the city and alongthe river, and at the latter locality took half a dozen pictures, Mr. Jally instructing them all the while. 

"Now I'll show you how a commonplace bit of scenery can be made tolook quite romantic, " said Mr. Jally presently. "Let us walk overto the railroad embankment. Such an embankment is not pretty initself, but I think we can get quite a pretty view of it. "

After many instructions they took a view of the embankment. Theirwalk had tired the photographer, who was rather stout, and heproposed that they rest. Near at hand was a section shed with somelumber piles, and there they took it easy. 

During a lull in the conversation the boys noticed three menapproaching. They were rather tough-looking characters, and at firstthe lads took them to be tramps. The men walked behind the lumberpiles without noticing our friends. 

"Some fellows that followed up the circus, I suppose, " said Snap. 

"Yes; the kind my aunt was afraid of, " added the doctor's son. 

"We can do it jest as well as not, " they heard one of the men say. "An' we got a right, too. "

"Sure we got a right, " said another of the trio in a heavy, rasp-likevoice. "We'll show Casso what it means to do a feller out o' hislawful wages. "

"Yes; but you look out you ain't caught, " added the third man. "He'sgot all hands watching to spot us. "

"We'll bust up his show, see if we don't, " growled the first speaker. 

"They must be the fellows who were discharged for drunkenness, "whispered Snap. 

"Yes; and they are laying plans to square up with the proprietor, "added Whopper. "Wonder what they will do?"

"If they are up to anything unlawful, they ought to be exposed, " wasMr. Jally's comment. He, too, had heard of the quarrel of theafternoon before. 

"I don't care to put myself out to help that circus man, " saidSnap. "He is responsible for what happened to that sick boy. Atthe same time, I know 'two wrongs don't make a right. `"

The men continued to talk, but in such low tones that the otherscould only catch a word or two. Something was said about a lionand a chimpanzee and a toolhouse, but the boys could not imaginewhat the circus men had in mind to do. 

Presently one of the circus men got up from his seat and walkedaround the lumber piles. When he saw the boys and Mr. Jally heuttered a whistle of surprise. Then he turned back to his companions, and all three of the men hurried away into the woods skirting therailroad tracks. 

CHAPTER V

SOMETHING ABOUT A LION

"They are certainly up to something, " was Snap's comment. 

"Yes; and I'd give something to know just what it is, " added thedoctor's son. 

Having rested, Mr. Jally took the boys to the bank of the river andthere showed them how to make a good picture with a strong reflectionin the water. This was rather difficult because of the distributionof light over the plate. 

"Be careful when you point your camera toward the sun, " said thephotographer. "Otherwise you may get a sun-spot, or 'ghost, ' rightin the center of your picture. "

"I know about that, " said Whopper. "Once I tried to take a pictureof my cousin standing by a well. The glare of the sun got on theplate just where her head ought to have been, so she was headless. "

"That sure was a ghost!" cried Shep; and then all laughed. 

The boys were to take the seven o'clock train back to Fairview, so at five o'clock they bid farewell to Mr. Jally and walked towardMrs. Carson's house to get supper. Just as they turned the cornerof a street close to the house they heard a man yelling wildly. Hewas running rapidly at the same time. 

"What's that fellow saying?" asked Whopper. "Maybe it's a fire. "

"No, he didn't say fire, " returned Snap. "It sounded to me likelion. "

"Lion?" questioned Whopper. 

"Look out for the lion!" bawled the man. "Look out for the lion!"And down the street he went on the double-quick. 

"He did say lion!" exclaimed Giant. 

"One of the circus lions must have gotten free!" burst out thedoctor's son. 

"Or else those circus men let him loose!" returned Snap. "Don't youremember they said something about a lion?"

"So they did. "

Others were now taking up the cry, and in a very few minutes men, women and children were hurrying in all directions to get out of theway of the beast. Some said it was one lion, and some said five orsix, and everybody was thoroughly scared. 

"We'll be eat up alive!" shrieked one lady. "Come, Bess!" And shetook her little girl by the hand and ran for home, slamming andlocking the door after her. 

Soon everybody was running for shelter, and in a twinkling thedoors of stores and houses were tightly closed, and windows followed. The majority of the people went to the upper floors of their dwellingsand peered forth anxiously to catch sight of whatever might be roamingthe streets waiting to devour them. 

"If a lion is really at large it will certainly make thingsinteresting, " observed Snap. "But maybe it's only a scare. "

"I hope it is, " answered Giant. "Excuse me from brushing up againsta real, bloodthirsty lion!" And he moved toward the Carson home, theothers following. 

"What is it, boys?" asked Shep's aunt, coming out on the piazza. "Whatis all the noise about?"

"They say a lion got loose from the circus, " answered her nephew. 

"Mercy on us!" ejaculated the lady, and turned pale. "Come in thehouse this minute, before you are all eat up!"

"We don't know if it is true or not, " said Snap. 

"Better not take any chances, " answered Mrs. Carson. "I once heardof a lion getting loose from Central Park in New York City andeating up five school children. "

"Yes, father tells that story, too, " answered Shep. "But it was alla newspaper hoax---it never happened, aunty. "

"Well, come in, and we'll close the doors and windows. "

As much to please the lady as anything, the boys went in, andassisted in closing up the lower part of the house. They had justreached an upper window when a man went hurrying through the Street, holding a shotgun in his hands. 

"Did a lion really get loose?" called out Snap. 

"He certainly did, " was the answer. 

"Where is he now?"

"Somewhere back of the freight depot, or in one of the empty freightcars. "

"Going to try to shoot him?" asked Whopper. 

"Yes. Four or five of us are going to try to do that or capturehim. "

The man hurried on, and presently another appeared, armed with arifle. 

"Wish I had a gun; I'd go on the hunt, too, " said Snap. "Thinkof laying a real lion low!"

"It would beat deer hunting, wouldn't it?" answered Whopper. "Butsupposing the lion turned and hunted you? You'd want to run about'leven hundred miles!"

"If you had the chance, " came from Giant. "I've heard that a lioncan get over the ground as quick as a cat. "

"I don't want any of you boys to leave this house until that lionis caught, " said Mrs. Carson firmly. "I feel it my duty to keep youhere. "

"Maybe they won't catch him at all, " suggested her nephew. 

"Oh, they'll be sure to catch or shoot him by morning, " answeredthe lady of the house. 

Supper in the dining-room below was rather a haphazard affair. It was eaten behind closed blinds and in semi-darkness, the ladyof the house being afraid to make a light, for fear of allowingthe roaming lion to see the eating, and her guests. Just as thehired girl was bringing in the dessert a distant shot rang out, and uttering a scream the girl, whose nerves were on edge, let thedessert saucers fall to the floor with a crash. 

"Somebody must have shot the lion!" cried Giant. 

"Or shot at him, " corrected Whopper. 

"Just look what you have done, Mary!" cried Mrs. Carson in dismay. 

"I couldn't help it, mum, " answered the servant girl. "That liongettin' loose has scared me stiff!"

"Well, I am scared myself. Clear up the muss, and be careful nexttime. Boys, you'll have to do without the preserves. But you canhave cake. "

"Cake is good enough for me, " answered Snap, and the others saidabout the same. 

Not long after that came another shot, this time from the cornerat the end of the block. 

"They are coming this way!" exclaimed the doctor's son. "Let usgo upstairs again and see what is doing. "

"Be careful!" screamed his aunt. "That lion may jump right upto the second story window!"

The boys went to an upper window, and then, growing bolder, steppedout on the top of the front piazza. They saw several men runningalong a cross street. Then another shot rang out. 

"The lion must be in this vicinity, " said Snap. 

"I saw something then---over yonder!" cried Giant, and pointed tothe back of a yard down by the corner of the street. 

"A dog---and he is legging it for dear life, " returned Whopper. "Helooks as if he wouldn't stop this side of the North Pole!"

"Perhaps the lion scared him, " said Shep. "I think-----Look!"

The doctor's son broke off short and pointed with his hand. Gazingin the direction indicated, the lads saw something dark slinkingon the opposite side of a high picket fence. 

"It's the lion!" said Snap in a whisper. "See his tail swayingfrom side to side?"

"Oh, for a rifle!" murmured Whopper. "Aunty, have you a gun?"called Shep. "We see the lion!"

"No, I haven't any gun, " answered the lady of the house quickly. "And you had better get inside as quickly as you can. The lionmay leap up at you. "

"I don't think he can jump so high. "

"There are some of the men with their guns, " went on Giant. "See, they are running around to the front of that house. "

"I wonder if they see the lion?" asked Snap. "Let us yell to them, "suggested Whopper. One after another the boys set up a shout. Butthe hunters were now out of sight and paid no attention to them. 

A moment later the lads saw the lion leave the vicinity of thefence, cross the yard, and disappear behind the side of a barn. Then came a sudden smashing of boards, and a wild-eyed horseburst into view and ran down the street at top speed. 

"The lion scared that horse, " said Whopper. "Well, he's enough toscare anything. "

"Boys! boys! why don't you come in?" pleaded Mrs. Carson. "If hesees you he'll surely try to get up on the piazza. "

"If he turns this way we'll come in and shut the blinds, " answeredher nephew. 

"It may be too late then. "

"Oh, I think not, aunty. "

Another shot rang out, and then the boys saw the men running aroundthe barn. 

"Perhaps they have managed to shut the lion in the barn, " said Snap. 

"If they are circus men they would rather capture the lion than killhim, " returned the doctor's son. "Lions must be worth a good dealof money. "

It was now about seven o'clock, and not as light as it had been. A few minutes passed and the men did not seem to be doing anything. 

"Do you know what I think?" declared Whopper. "I think that lionis hiding on them. "

"Just what I was going to say, " came from Giant. "Maybe he hascrawled to some dark corner of the barn and nobody has the courageto stir him up. "

"Do you want to stir him up?" asked Snap dryly. 

"Not on your necktie!" answered the small youth. 

"Let him sleep in peace, " added Whopper. 

"He won't sleep, " said the doctor's son. 

"Something doing, now!" cried Whopper a few minutes later. He hadseen one of the men run across the yard. "Why, I declare, there isthe lion in the yard next door!"

"How did he get there?" asked Snap. 

"I don't know. "

"That man is going to take another shot!" cried Shep as he saw a gunraised. 

"And there goes the lion!" cried Snap as the form of the animal aroseswiftly in the air. With grace and precision the lord of the animalworld cleared the back fence of the yard and crouched down in thestreet, close to a tree. 

"He's heading this way!" burst out the doctor's son. "Maybe we hadbetter get indoors. "

"Oh, he can't leap up here, " insisted Giant, who was brave, eventhough small. 

"We'll take no chances, " was Shep's answer. "Come. "

He turned to the window, and so did Snap and Whopper. At thatminute one of the men came around the corner of the street. Thelion leaped from behind the tree into the roadway. Pulling up hisgun, the man banged away wildly, for he was nervous and frightened. 

"Oh!" came in a groan from Giant, and his chums saw him stagger. 

"What is it?" asked Snap quickly. But instead of answering thesmall youth staggered around the piazza top. 

"Giant is shot!" gasped Whopper. "Catch him! He is falling offthe roof!"

Snap made a quick leap forward and caught Giant around the waist. Both were now on the slanting portion of the piazza roof. Snapdid what he could to stay their progress, but it was in vain, andthe next instant both boys slipped down over the edge. Snapclutched at a honeysuckle vine growing there, but it gave way, anda moment later the two boys rolled to the ground. 

CHAPTER VI

SOMETHING ABOUT A CHIMPANZEE

It was well that that honeysuckle vine was growing there and that itgave way slowly after Snap grasped it, for otherwise the two boysmight have suffered some broken bones. As it was, Snap bumped hisshoulder severely and scraped his ear on the sand of the path thatran around the side of the house. 

Poor Giant was unconscious, and even in that perilous moment Snaprealized that his little chum had been hit by some of the shot fromthe gun. Whether the lad was dangerously wounded or not remainedto be seen. 

The two boys had fallen inside the dooryard, which was separatedfrom the street by a low fence. Hardly did they land when Snapscrambled up, dragging Giant with him. 

"The front door! The front door!" yelled Shep from above. "We'lllet you in!" And then he leaped through the window and tore downthe stairs four steps at a time, with Whopper at his heels. 

As Snap turned and looked out into the street he saw a sight calculatedto daunt the stoutest heart. The lion was there, standing erect, withbristling mane, glaring fiercely at him. 

"Get away!" the boy yelled, not knowing what else to do. "Get away!"And then he picked up a whitewashed stone, one of a number borderingthe garden path. With all his might he threw it at the lion andcaught the beast in the head. The animal turned, slunk along thefence, and disappeared behind a tree in front of the next house. 

The moment the animal turned away, Snap moved toward the piazza. Hehad Giant in one of his arms, and in his excitement did not noticethe weight of his burden. As he ascended the steps the door wasflung open and Shep appeared. Then Whopper showed himself, armedwith an umbrella he had snatched from the hall rack. 

"Where's the lion?" asked the doctor's son. 

"Behind the tree!" gasped Snap, and then he literally fell into thehallway with Giant still in his arm. At once the door was closedand locked again. 

"Was Giant shot?" queried Whopper, as he threw down the umbrella. 

"Yes, " answered Snap. "Make a light, " he added, for the hallwaywas in total darkness. 

Mrs. Carson was still upstairs, while the hired girl in her frighthad fled to the garret, so the boys had to stumble around until Shepfound a match and lit the lamp. Whopper and Snap carried Giantinto the sitting-room and placed him on a sofa. As they did thisthe small youth opened his eyes and stared around wildly. 

"The lion! Don't let him eat me!" he muttered. 

"You're safe, Giant, " answered the doctor's son. 

"I---I got shot!"

"We know it. Let us see if you are badly hurt. " On several occasions, in cases of accident, Shep had aided his father in caring forpatients, and the knowledge thus gained now stood him in good stead. He made a close examination and found that several buckshot hadgrazed the small youth's temple, while one had gone through the tipof the ear. Giant's face was covered with blood, and this waswashed off, and then his wounds were bathed with witch hazel andbound up. 

"You had a narrow escape, " was the comment of the doctor's son. "Alittle closer and you might have been killed, or might have lostyour eyesight. "

"That fellow with the gun was mighty careless, " said Whopper. 

"He was excited, " added Snap. "He didn't want to hit Giant. "

Snap said nothing about his hurt shoulder, although the bump he hadreceived made him stiff and sore. He was thankful that thehoneysuckle vine had broken the fall from the piazza roof, and thathe and Giant had escaped from the clutches of the lion. 

The hunters of the animal had gone past the house, and now thoseinside heard firing in the distance. The shots gradually grewfainter and fainter, at last dying out altogether. 

"I guess his lionship has left town, " said Shep. 

"Or else he is dead, " added Snap. 

Mrs. Carson was much worried over the wounds Giant had received andinsisted upon putting on them some salve. The boy declared he feltall right again and that the wounds would soon heal. 

"I'm used to little things like that, " he said. "When we wenthunting we had all sorts of things happen to us. "

"Mercy on us! Then you ought never to go hunting again!" declaredthe lady of the house. 

"It was a narrow escape, " said Snap gravely. "You can be thankfulthat man didn't blow your head off. 

"I am thankful, Snap; and I am also thankful for what you did forme, " murmured Giant, and looked at his chum in a manner that spokevolumes. 

It was now too late to think of going to Fairview, for the lasttrain had already departed. And as it was, Mrs. Carson insistedupon it that the boys remain all night. 

"If you leave the house I'll be worried to death, thinking the lioncaught you, " she said. 

So the boys stayed over another night. Late in the evening theystopped two men who were passing the house and from them learnedthat the lion had been chased to the edge of a big woods north ofRailings. He had been wounded, of that the men were certain, anda regular hunting party was going out in the morning to either killor capture the beast. 

"The circus owner has offered a hundred dollars reward for hiscapture, " said one of the men "So they'll get him alive if theycan. "

"Did any other lions escape?" asked the doctor's son. 

"No; but one of the big monkeys is missing---the educated one. "

"Do you mean Abe, the educated chimpanzee?" queried Snap. 

"That's the fellow---the one who eats, drinks, smokes and doesall sorts of stunts. He's missing, and the circus men aremore worried over him than over the lion. One man said thechim---what-do-you-call-him was worth a thousand dollars. "

"I believe that---being educated to do so many things, " said Whopper. "He sat up to a table to eat just like a man. "

"Did you hear how the lion and the chimpanzee happened to get away?"asked Giant. 

"Why, there was a report it was the fault of four rascals who usedto work for the circus---three men who were discharged for gettingdrunk, and a boy who did stunts on the trapeze and ran away. "

"That boy!" cried Snap. "Oh, I don't think he had anything todo with it. "

"Well, that's what the circus men say. If they catch the menand the boy they'll have the whole crowd locked up. "

"I am sure the boy is innocent, " said the doctor's son. 

"I got shot by somebody hunting that lion, " said Giant. "Do youknow who fired his shotgun out yonder?"

"Oh, that was Hank Donaldson. He's always blowing about what he cando with a gun, and he was so worked up and nervous he killed Mack'sdog and smashed the plate-glass window in the new five-and-ten-centstore. He got scared to death when somebody told him a boy over herefell from the roof and got hit. Is it bad?"

"No, but it might have been. "

"You ought to pitch into Hank. He ought to know better than to fireso promiscuous-like in the city streets. He meant well, but if hehad killed you, what then?" And the man passed on, shaking hishead earnestly. 

In the morning Giant felt quite like himself and insisted uponleaving off the bandage that had been placed over his forehead. 

"I don't want to become an object of curiosity, " he explained. "Evenas it is, I suppose lots of folks will want to know all about it. "

While the boys were eating the door bell rang, and the hired girlannounced a man to see the lad who had been shot. The visitorproved to be Hank Donaldson, a big, burly fellow, now nervous tothe degree of collapsing. 

"I---I hope yer don't think I did it a-purpose, " said Donaldson. "'Cos I didn't---I only wanted to shoot that 'ere lion, 'forehe ate sombuddy up. "

"I understand, " answered Giant. "But you were very careless. After this you had better give up lion hunting. "

"I sure will. I am very sorry---yes, I am. Hope you'll forgive it. "

"I will---if you didn't mean it, " answered Giant. 

"I've got a heap o' troubles, I have, " went on Hank Donaldson. "Got to pay 'bout a hundred dollars fer a plate-glass winder Ismashed, an' got to pay fer a dorg, too. Ye don't catch mehuntin' lions no more. " And he heaved a mountainous sigh. Afew minutes later he departed, saying he hoped Giant would soonget over his hurts. 

"I guess he will be punished enough when he pays for the glass andthe dog, " said the small youth, and smiled in spite of his wounds. 

Getting a ladder, the boys fixed up the brokendown honeysuckle vine, and then bid good-by to Mrs. Carson. She was still a bit timidabout letting them go. 

"You keep your eyes open for that lion, " she said. "And if you seehim, run into the first house or store that's handy. Don't thinkyou can shoo him off again with a stone, because it isn't likelyyou'll be able to. "

"We'll be on our guard, aunty, " answered Shep. 

The circus had left town, as it was billed to perform in anothercity forty miles away. But several employees had been left behind, and these men, aided by a number of others, went on a long huntfor the lion and the chimpanzee. The lion had been seen makingfor the woods, but what had become of the chimpanzee nobody knew. 

"The loss of that chimpanzee is a big one for the circus, " saidSnap, while on the way home. "Just see how they feature him onthe bills. They have other lions, but Abe was their only man-monkey. "

What the youth said about the chimpanzee was true. Abe, as hehad been named, was a wonderful drawing-card. At first a rewardof fifty dollars was offered for his return, and later this sumwas increased. It may be as well to state here that the ownerof the circus suspected that the men who had been discharged byhim had the chimpanzee and would have it returned to him whenthe reward was large enough. What had become of the men nobodyknew, and the boy acrobat had likewise disappeared. 

"That boy interested me, " said Snap. "I'd like to meet him againand have a talk with him. "

"Maybe we will meet him again some time, " answered the doctor'sson. 

"Oh, it's not likely. There won't be anything to keep him in theseparts. If he is a regular acrobat, more than likely he'll joinsome other circus or some vaudeville show. "

"He didn't look as if he liked the life, " said Whopper. 

"That's the way it struck me, " came from Giant. 

When the boys got home they had quite a story to tell. Mrs. Caslettewas much alarmed over the injuries her son had received and insistedupon it that Giant let Dr. Reed attend him, which the physician didwillingly. 

"Not much damaged, " said the doctor. "But he had what folks calla close shave. "

The boys told the doctor about what they had learned from Mr. Jally, and in turn he gave them instructions concerning the photographshe desired them to obtain during their outing in the Windy Mountains. As there might be a little delay in getting the new cameras andin getting some other supplies the start of the trip was postponeduntil Tuesday. 

"And how do you propose to go?" asked Snap of the doctor's son. 

"Father thinks it would be wise for us to row to Firefly Lake. Then we can hide our boat and tote our supplies over to the mountains. "

"That suits me, Shep. "

"Did Ham Spink and his crowd go that way?" asked Whopper. 

"I think they did, but I am not sure. "

"Well, I don't want to meet them if they did, " came from Giant. "They can keep their distance and we'll keep ours. "

CHAPTER VII

UP THE RIVER

Coming from Sunday-school on Sunday afternoon the boys fell in withJed Sanborn, the old hunter who had gone out with them on more thanone trip. They were rather surprised to see the man carrying hisshotgun, for Jed usually believed in respecting the Sabbath day. 

"Been out hunting?" queried Snap as all came to a halt. 

"Well, yes, kind of, " answered the old hunter. "But not any reg'largame. "

"I didn't think you'd be out on Sunday, " said Whopper. 

"I took it into my head yesterday to look fer that lion as gotaway at Railings, " was Jed Sanborn's answer. "Somebuddy saidas how he was keepin' shady over to Merrick's woods, so I trampedover. Stayed in the woods all night an' this mornin'. "

"Did you see the lion?" asked Snap eagerly. 

"Nary a hair o' him, lad, an' I don't think he's in the woods, nuther. "

"But he must be somewhere, " insisted Giant. 

"Thet might be, but he ain't in Merrick's woods. I'll bet a glass o'cider on't. " Jed Sanborn looked at the boys and grinned. "Goin'out huntin' ag'in, so I hear. "

"Yes. "

"Whereabouts this time---up whar ye see the ghost?" And the oldman chuckled, thinking of what the ghost had proved to be. 

"No. We are going over to Windy Mountains this trip, " answeredthe doctor's son. 

"That far, eh? It's quite a trip. Hope ye find it wuth so longa journey. I don't know as the game thar is any better nor aroundthe lakes close to hum. "

"We are going for the fun of camping partly, " said Shep. He didnot care to say anything about the picture-taking for his father. "Do you expect to come out that way?"

"I might. "

"If you do you must hunt us up, " put in Snap. 

"I'll do thet, sure pop, " answered Jed Sanborn. He started off, then turned back. "Oh, I say!" he called. 

"What is it?" asked Whopper. 

"It's about thet pesky Ham Spink, " went on the old hunter. "DidI tell ye about my spring?"

"No. What of it?" asked Giant. 

"Ye know I've got a nice spring o' cold water up by my cabin. Well, some days ago Ham Spink an' thet Dudder boy came up there, an' onthe sly caved the spring in on me. I caught 'em coming away. Ihad my shotgun with me, an' I was mad, good an' proper. I saidthey must fix the spring or somebuddy'd git shot. They got scart, I kin tell ye, an' they got on their hands an' knees in the sandan' rocks an' mud and worked like beavers till they had thespring fixed. It jest about ruined their clothes, an' when theywent off they was as mad as hops. Spink said he would square up, but he's a blower an' I ain't afraid o' him. "

"It was just like Ham's meanness, and Carl Dudder's meanness, too, "said Snap. 

The new cameras and supplies had come in on Saturday night, andon Monday morning the boys received a new tent from Dr. Reed, anda tarpaulin from Mr. Dodge. Mr. Dawson gave the boys some blankets, and Mrs. Caslette promised to supply them with a hamper of tabledelicacies. 

"With so many good things we'll have a better time than ever before, "said Snap. 

"Nothing like winding up the summer in good shape, " answered thedoctor's son. 

The chums went over their boat with care, to make certain that it didnot leak, and then looked over their guns and the rest of theiroutfit. On Monday evening everything was taken down to the boathousefor readiness early Tuesday morning. 

"I am glad of one thing, " remarked Whopper. "Ham Spink and hiscrowd are not on hand to molest our things, as they tried to dobefore. "

"Well, we gave 'em a warm reception when they did come to theboathouse, " answered Snap with a grin, referring to an event relatedin detail in "_The Young Hunters of the Lake_. "

For this particular outing the supplies were extra numerous, and theboys knew it was going to be no light task to transport them by boatand pack. 

"We'll have to make the best of it, " said the doctor's son. "Whenwe are in the boat we'll have to row with care, and if we can'ttote the stuff over to the mountains in one trip we'll make two. "

It was somewhat gloomy Monday evening, and the boys were fearfulthat it might rain by morning. But the clouds cleared away duringthe night and the sun came up in the morning as brightly as ever. Each got an early breakfast, and by eight o'clock all were assembledat the boathouse. 

"Everything all right?" asked Whopper, who was the last to arrive. 

"All O. K. , " answered Snap. 

Soon the supplies were stowed away with care, and then the chumsentered the craft. It was agreed that two should row at a time, andSnap and Giant took up the oars. Several men and boys had gatheredto see them start. 

"Don't forget to bring back another bear!" sang out one man. 

"If you should happen to see that lion, better run for it, " cautionedanother. 

"We don't expect to see the lion, and we aren't looking for morebears, " answered Snap. "We are going to take it easy this trip. "

"Well, I wish you luck, " said the man. Then the boys set up a cheerfrom the shore, and the chums answered it. 

"Say, Snap, what makes you think this is going to be a real quietpicnic?" asked Whopper on the way. "Now, I expect to bag aboutfifty rabbits, a hundred partridges, some wild turkeys, a bear ortwo, and that lion in the bargain!"

"Wow!" gasped Giant. "Whopper is to the front once more. Why notmake it two lions while you are at it?"

"Because there is only one, and I don't want to be---er---piggish. "

"Why not say lionish?" questioned Shep. 

"Aren't you going to hunt at all?" demanded the boy who loved toexaggerate. 

"Of course, " drawled Giant. "I am going to hunt ants, and June bugs, and horseflies, and worms, and-----"

"Oh, come off!" growled Whopper. "You know what I mean. "

"To be sure we'll hunt, " said the doctor's son. "But the camerasare going ahead of the guns this trip. "

"Speaking of cameras and worms puts me in mind of something I heardyesterday, " said Snap. "It's about trick photography. An amateurphotographer showed a picture he had of what looked like a fiercesnake on a rail fence. By and by he gave the trick away. The snakewas nothing but a garden worm wound around some little sticks andtoothpicks, and the picture had been snapped at close range. "

"That's like a trick picture I heard about, taken on two plates, "said Giant. "It was one of a man wheeling himself in a wheelbarrow. "

"I know of three fellows who took a queer-looking picture, " saidWhopper. "Now, this is true, " he continued, noticing the otherslook of doubt. "They got an oilcloth sign, a square one, andthen one fellow got up on another fellow's shoulders. The twofellows held the sign in front of them while the third chap tookthe picture. When the photo was printed it looked as if the boycarrying the sign was about nine feet high. "

"I heard of that in a different way, " said Snap. "A fellow outin the country took two horses back of a henhouse. He had the headof one horse sticking beyond one end of the henhouse and the hindlegs of the second horse sticking out at the other end, and thepicture looked as if that horse was fifteen or twenty feet long. "

On they went along the river, past Pop Lundy's orchard, where theyhad once had quite an adventure. It was rather warm, but a lightbreeze cooled those at the oars. Snap and Giant rowed for abouta mile and were then relieved by their chums, and thus they changedabout until it was time for lunch, when they ran ashore at aninviting spot. 

"Rowing makes a fellow hungry, " observed Whopper. "I think I caneat at least fifteen sandwiches, not to mention some cake and afew pieces of pie. "

"Perhaps you want the whole lunch yourself, " said Snap. "Well, youdon't get it. "

"Anybody want coffee?" asked Shep. "If so we'll have to start upa fire. "

"Don't bother to-day. Water is good enough, " said Giant, andso they rested in the shade of the trees and ate their sandwichesand a pie Mrs. Caslette had baked for them, washing the food downwith water from a handy spring. 

"I am going to take my first picture, " said Snap, and made theothers get in a group, each with a piece of pie in his hand. Hetook a snapshots and then marked the picture in a book he hadbrought along for that purpose. 

"What do you call it?" asked Whopper. 

"Pie-ous Time, " answered Snap, and then dodged a tin cup the otherflung at him. 

"We must try to reach Lake Cameron before night, " said Shep, whenthey were once more on the way. "I shouldn't care to camp out alongthe river. "

"Oh, you might find a worse spot, " answered Snap. "However, we'llget to the lake if we can. "

As my old readers know, Lake Cameron was connected with the riverby a narrow creek, the banks of which were overhung with bushes. Since the boys had come home from their last outing the rainshad been heavy, consequently the creek was well filled with water. 

"This makes getting through easy, and I am glad of it, " said Whopper. "I was afraid we'd have to carry some of the stuff around, so asto lighten the boat. "

"Are you going up the lake shore very far tonight?" questioned Giant. It was already growing dark. 

"No, I think we had best camp near the mouth of the creek, " answeredthe doctor's son, and the others agreed with him. 

As soon as the lake was reached Giant, who was the best fishermanof the crowd, baited up and threw out his line. For some time hedid not get a bite, but then came a sharp tug, so dear to the heartof the angler. 

"What have you got?" asked Whopper. 

"Might be an elephant, but I---I guess not, " cried the small youth. 

The others stopped rowing and Giant began to play his catch with care. Soon he brought to light a fine pickerel, and dropped the fish inthe bottom of the boat. 

"Good for Giant!" cried Snap. "A couple of more like that and we'llhave a dandy fish supper. "

Again the line was baited and thrown in and the boys took up theirrowing. Presently came another tug and again Giant was successful, bringing in a fish several inches larger than the first. 

"This is pickerel day, " cried Whopper "Reckon I'll try my luck, " andhe did, and presently brought in a pickerel almost as large as theothers. But that was the end of the luck for the time being. 

"Never mind, " said Shep. "Three are enough. Now to land and get ourcamp into shape for the night---and then for supper. " And a fewminutes later a landing was made. 

CHAPTER VIII

THE FIRST NIGHT OUT

The boys knew the shores of Lake Cameron well, having camped therebefore, and they selected a spot that just suited their wants. The rowboat was drawn up in a tiny cove and made fast, and thenall hands set to work getting the tent and some of the outfitashore. The things left in the boat were covered carefully withthe tarpaulin, to keep off the night dampness and a possible rain. 

Shep had been selected as the leader during this outing, on accountof what his father had done for the club, and he now directed Giantand Whopper to build the fire and get supper ready, while he andSnap erected the tent and cut some pine boughs for bedding. 

"It will be almost warm enough to-night to sleep out of doors, "said the doctor's son. "But it seems more natural to sleep undersome kind of a cover. "

He and Snap took the ax and soon cut down three slender saplings andtrimmed them. Two were planted in the ground where the tent was tobe erected and the third was laid across the top, in littlelimb-crotches left for that purpose. Then the canvas was thrownover and pegged down tightly, sides and back. The front of the tenthad a double flap, which could be tied shut with strings if desired. 

Long before the tent was up and furnished with bedding of pineboughs, Giant and Whopper had the camp fire started, and soon anappetizing odor of coffee and frying fish filled the air. It wasnow quite dark, and the glare of the fire made the scene a pleasantone. 

"Camping wouldn't be camping without a fire, " observed Snap, as, having finished his share of the work, he sat down on a grassyhillock to rest and watch Giant and Whopper getting ready to servethe evening meal. 

"Right you are, Snap, " answered Shep. "Even in the hottest ofweather I love to see the glare and the flickering shadows. "

"I always think of good stories and plenty to eat when I see a campfire, " came from Giant. 

"Well, I reckon we are going to have the eating, even if we don'thave the stories, " said the doctor's son. 

"What's the matter with Whopper spinning one of his outrageous yarns?"suggested Snap. "He must be fairly aching to tell somethingmarvelous. "

"I tell only truthful tales, " came from the storyteller modestly. "Now, if you want to hear-----"

"Truthful tales!" burst out Giant. "Say, Whopper, that's the verybiggest whopper you ever told!"

"All right, then, I won't tell any stories, " returned the other ladreproachfully. 

"Oh, yes, you will; you can't help it, " said Snap. 

Supper was soon served. It consisted of bread and butter and coffeeand pickerel done to a turn, topped off with some crullers from abagful donated by Mrs. Caslette. The boys took their time eating, and when they had finished the bones of the fish were picked clean. Then Giant said something about a train falling off a bridge, andthat started Whopper to telling a most marvelous story of anengineer who, seeing that a bridge was down, put on all speedand rushed his train over a gap thirty feet wide in safety. The others listened with sober faces until Whopper had finished, and then burst out laughing. 

"What did I tell you?" cried Snap. "I said Whopper couldn't helptelling a yarn. "

"And such a one, too!" added Giant. 

"And of course we all believe it, " came from the doctor's son. 

"Well, I had to do something---to help pass the time, " said Whoppera bit sheepishly. 

"Sure you did, " said Snap heartily. "It's all right, Whopper---onlydon't ask us to believe such a story. "

"Is anybody going to stand guard to-night?" asked Giant to changethe subject. 

"What's the use?" questioned Snap. "I don't think anybody oranything will come to disturb us. "

"Well, you can never tell, " said Shep slowly. "But if you fellowsdon't care to stand guard we'll let it go at that. "

"Oh, it's for you to say, Shep---you are leader this trip. "

"Well, I guess we can all turn in. "

And turn in they did about nine o'clock, with the understandingthat they were to have breakfast at six in the morning and continuetheir journey as soon after that as possible. 

Whether he felt the responsibility of leadership or not it wouldbe hard to say, but certain it is that the doctor's son did notsleep near as soundly as did the others. He was very restless, and when he dozed off it was to dream of the lion that had escapedfrom the circus. He imagined that the animal had followed themto their camp and was bending over him and licking his face. He uttered a groan of terror and sat up and opened his eyes. As he did this a dark form leaped over him and out of the opentent. The fire had burned low, so what the form was Shep couldnot tell. 

"Help!" screamed the doctor's son. He was not yet fully awake. 

"Wha---what's the matter?" spluttered Snap, throwing aside hisblanket. 

"What's wrong?" came from Whopper and Giant simultaneously. 

"Something---a wild animal---in here---jumped over me!" gaspedShep. "It just went outside!"

"Oh, you are dreaming, Shep, " said Snap. 

"No, I'm not. I saw it---felt it! Let me get my gun!"

The doctor's son threw off his blanket, leaped up and grasped hisshotgun, that hung on one of the tent poles. He stepped to theopening of the tent and peered out anxiously. 

"See anything?" demanded Whopper. He and the others were now up, and each was arming himself. 

"N---no. "

"I told you you were dreaming, " came from Snap. 

"Too many crullers for supper, " was Giant's comment. "Sometimesthey lay like lead in a fellow's stomach and give him all sortsof dreams. "

"It wasn't the crullers, " persisted the doctor's son. "I'm goingoutside and investigate. " And he stepped out in the directionof the camp fire. 

"Be careful, " warned Snap. "If any wild beasts are around you wantto be on your guard. "

The doctor's son looked around with care, but could see no traceof the night visitor. He stirred up the camp fire and soon had abright blaze going. The others had followed him outside and theystood shivering in the damp air. 

"False alarm, I guess, " said Giant, yawning. "What time is it?"

"One o'clock, " answered Whopper, after consulting his watch. "Say, this is a dandy way of breaking up one's rest, " he added sarcastically. 

"If you don't believe I saw something---and felt something---youneedn't, " returned Shep tartly. 

"Must have been a sand flea, or a water bug. "

"Come, Whopper, don't get mad, " came from Snap. "If Shep-----"

"There it is, behind the bushes!" burst out the doctor's son. "I justsaw its eyes shining!"

As he spoke he raised his shotgun. But the eyes had disappeared. 

"I saw something, " came from Giant. "See, it's moving---backof the huckleberry bush. "

Something was moving, that was evident, but what it was none ofthe young hunters could make out. Shep raised his gun again. 

"Shall I take a chance and fire?" he asked of the others. 

"Might as well, " answered Whopper. "It couldn't be anything buta wild animal. "

"Wait, " cried Snap. He raised his voice. "Who is there?" hecalled out. "Answer, or we'll shoot!"

For reply there came a sound that thoroughly astonished the boys. It was the bark of a dog, low and uncertain. Then there steppedinto view a collie, wagging his tail doubtfully. 

"A dog!" cried Giant. "Come here! come here!" he called, andgave an inviting whistle. 

Slowly the dog came forward, still wagging his tail doubtfully. When he was quite close he sat up on his haunches and began tomove his fore paws up and down. 

"He's begging!" cried Snap. "He must be hungry. "

"I suppose he smelled our food and came for some, " said Giant. "Good little dog!" he cried. "Come here!" And as he snappedhis fingers the collie came up to him and allowed the small youthto pat him on the head. 

"That's your wild beast, Shep, " said Whopper. 

"Well, I knew it was something, " answered the doctor's son. "Thatdog must have been in the tent. "

"More than likely, " answered Snap. "See how friendly he is, " headded, for the collie was now leaping from one to another of theboys and barking joyfully. Giant gave him a cruller and he ate thedainty greedily. 

"He's half starved, " said Snap. "Must have wandered off into thewoods and got lost. "

"Is there a name on his collar?" asked Whopper. 

"No, only a license number, " answered Giant after an examination. "Looks to me as if he might be a valuable animal. "

"I think I've seen that collie before, " said Shep. 

"So you did---in the tent, " said Whopper quickly, and set up a laugh. 

"Oh, you know what I mean. He has a regular star on his breast. Yes, I am sure I've seen him somewhere, but where I can't remember. "

"He ought to be returned to his owner, " said Snap. "But how we aregoing to do it I don't know. I don't care to go back just for thedog. "

"Nor I, " added Giant. "Let us take him along and bring him back withus when we come. "

"If he'll stay with us, " came from Whopper. "He may---if we feed himwell, " answered the doctor's son. 

They let the dog have another cruller and the heads of the fish, andthe animal made a meal of them. The boys felt cold and tired andcrawled back into the tent to finish their night's rest. Soon thecollie came nosing at the opening. 

"Come here!" said Giant in a low voice, and instantly the dog nestleddown at his side, and there he remained until daylight. 

"We can take him in some of our pictures, " said the small youth. "He'll add to the picturesqueness. "

"What are you going to call him?" asked Whopper. 

"Sphinx. "

"And why Sphinx?" asked Snap. 

"Because he won't tell us who he is, where he came from, or anythingabout himself. "

"Oh, that's not a pretty name, " cried the doctor's son. "I votewe call him Wags, because he wags his tail so much. "

"All right, Wags it is, " said Giant. "What do you say, Wags?"he added, turning to the dog. 

The collie barked and wagged his tail vigorously. Evidently hewas perfectly satisfied. 

As the lads had no more game or fish to eat, they made a hastymeal of bacon, bread, crullers and coffee. As soon as the repastwas over they took down the tent and placed that and the otherthings on board the rowboat. The collie had been fed and was morefrisky than ever. 

"Wonder if he'll go into the boat with us?" said Snap. "Somedogs don't like the water. "

"Most collies do, " answered Giant. "I'll try him. " He called Wags, and the dog leaped into the craft and took his place at the bow. 

"He'll do for a lookout, " said Whopper. "Come on, it's time tostart. "

They looked around the temporary camp, to make certain that nothinghad been left behind, then entered the rowboat and shoved off. Snap and Whopper took the oars, and soon they were on the journeyup Lake Cameron to Firefly Lake. 

"Don't forget one thing, " said Snap shortly after starting. "Ifpossible we want to bring down some sort of game for dinner. Itwon't do to use up our canned things and that stuff. "

"Everybody watch out, " said Giant. "And if we can't shoot something, why, toward dinner time, I'll try my hand at fishing again. "

CHAPTER IX

INTO THE RAPIDS

It was another ideal day, and the young hunters felt in the best ofspirits. Whopper felt so good that presently he burst out singingan old school song, and the others joined in. 

"That's all right, and very good, but if we want any game we'vegot to keep quiet, " said the doctor's son after the song was ended. 

"Right you are, " answered Whopper promptly. "And as I'd rather eatlater than sing now I'll shut up. "

They followed the shore line of Lake Cameron, heading for therocky watercourse that connected that body of water with FireflyLake. The eyes of all were on the alert for game, and toward themiddle of the forenoon Giant called a halt. 

"I saw something in the trees yonder, " he said, pointing ashore. "Looked to me as if they might be partridge. "

"Partridge would suit me first rate, " answered Snap. "Let us landand try our luck. "

"Making as little noise as possible they beached the rowboat andGiant silenced the dog, not knowing what he might do while on a hunt. 

"Perhaps he's a good bird dog and perhaps he isn't, " he said. "We'lltake no chances. "

Each of the young hunters had his shotgun, and one after anotherthey followed Shep to the spot where the game had been seen amongthe trees. High among the branches of a silver maple tree theysaw some ruffed grouse, commonly known to many sportsmen as partridge. 

"There's our chance, " said the doctor's son. "Who is to fire?"

"Let us all take a chance, " pleaded Giant. "Just to open theouting, you know. "

Shep was willing, and said he would give the word. With greatcaution they crept as close as possible to the grouse. The birdswere on three branches of the maple, one over the other. 

Silently the four boy hunters raised their firearms. Shep lookedat them and then along the barrel of his piece. 

"Fire!" said he, and one shot rang out after another quickly. Therewas a mad whirring and fluttering from the ruffed grouse. Twodropped like lead, while two others flew around in a circle, badlywounded. Then the boys discharged their guns again, and woundedtwo more birds. As the game came down they rushed in and wrungthe necks of those not already dead. 

"Six, all told, " said Giant proudly. "That's one and a half apiece. "

"Not so bad, " answered Snap. 

"It's dandy!" shouted Whopper, throwing up his cap in his delight. "Now we can have roast partridge for dinner, and supper, too, ifwe want to. "

"Right you are, " came from Shep. "I believe we all made a hit, "he added. 

"A hit?" repeated Whopper. "We all made home runs!" And at thisreference to baseball all of the boys laughed. 

Taking the game to the rowboat, they resumed their journey, and bynoon reached the watercourse connecting the two lakes. Here theystopped at a spot well known to them and built a camp fire, andhere they roasted all of the game, fearing it might not keep insuch hot weather. 

"I'm going to try baking 'em in mud, " said Giant, who had learnedthe trick from Jed Sanborn. Leaving the feathers on the grouse thelad plastered each bird thickly with some clayey mud, and thenplaced them in the fire to roast, or bake, as he called it. Hewatched them with care and tried one frequently to see if it was done. 

"Now I guess this will do, " he said at last, and cracked the bakedmud from the grouse. With the mud came the feathers of the bird, leaving the meat clean. The grouse was tender and juicy and doneto a turn. 

"Giant, you'll have to get a job as a chef in a big hotel, " saidthe doctor's son, smacking his lips over the feast. "This gamecertainly couldn't be, better. "

"Why not leave some of the partridge right in the baked mud?"suggested Snap. "It ought to keep well that way. "

"We can try it, " said Whopper. 

The collie was given his share of the dinner and appeared to enjoyit as much as the boys. He acted as if he felt perfectly at homewith the young hunters, and made no offer to leave them. 

"If he wasn't such a fine dog I'd put him down as an outcast, " saidShep. "But nobody would abandon such a fine animal---he's worthtoo much money. "

Once again the boy hunters proceeded on their way. As they enteredthe watercourse connecting the two lakes they noticed that thecurrent was flowing swiftly. 

"The heavy rains are responsible for this, " said Snap. "We want tobe careful, or the boat will be smashed on some of the rocks. "

"We might get out and walk---that is, some of us---if the shorewasn't so rough and rocky, " said Whopper. "It looks wilder thanever now, doesn't it, boys?"

It certainly did look wilder---or was it only the rushing of thewater that made it appear so? They rowed on with caution, twoat the oars and two doing the steering with poles. Wags sat inthe bow as before, watching proceedings in silence. 

About half the distance to Firefly Lake had been covered when theycame to a sharp turn in the watercourse. Here the water boiled andfoamed around several sharp rocks. 

"Beware of the rocks!" sang out the doctor's Son. 

"To the right! To the right!" yelled Whopper. "It's too shallowon the other side!"

They tried to turn the craft to the right, but the current seemedtoo strong for them. The boat swung around and hit one of therocks a sharp blow. There was a little splash as the collie wentoverboard. Then came a big souse, that covered those who remainedin the boat with spray. 

"Giant is overboard!" cried Whopper. "And so is the dog!"

"Let the dog take care of himself, " cried Snap. "Grab Giant!"

Whopper turned to catch the lad who had gone overboard, but thecurrent was too quick for him, and the small youth was sent whirlingout of his reach. 

For the moment it looked as if the rowboat would either go overor be stove in on the rocks, and those left on board had to turntheir attention to the craft. They saw Giant floundering in theboiling water, but could do nothing to aid him. 

"Swing her around and pull for shore; it's our only chance!" criedSnap. "Quick, now---or we'll all go to the bottom!"

Fighting desperately, the three lads swung the craft around slowly. It scraped on more of the rocks, and one of the oars was caught andsnapped off like a pipe-stem. But then the boat struck water thatwas a little more calm, and soon they reached a cove and feltthemselves safe for the time being. 

"Where is Giant?" was Shep's question as soon as they knew theoutfit was secure. 

"There he is, on one of the rocks, " answered Whopper. "And herecomes the dog, " he added as the collie came battling bravely towardthem. 

Soon Wags was on shore and shaking himself vigorously, acting as ifsuch a bath was a daily occurrence. 

"Hello, you fellows!" came in Giant's voice. He was sprawledout on a rock in midstream, sixty feet away. 

"Are you hurt?" questioned Shep anxiously. 

"No; the water was pretty soft, " answered the small youth. "ButI say, how am I going to get ashore?"

"Can't you wade it?" asked Whopper. 

"No; don't try that---the current is too swift, " cried Snap. 

"Well, we can't take the boat to him, " said Whopper. 

"I know that. "

"We might throw him a line, " suggested the doctor's son. 

"Yes, that's an idea. "

A light but strong line was brought forth and Shep curled it up asa cowboy does a lasso. Then he made a cast, but the line fell short. 

"Let me try it, " said Snap. 

One after another the boys on shore tried to reach Giant with theline but failed. After Whopper had made his cast Wags, who hadbeen sitting on a rock watching proceedings with interest, gavea bark and caught the end of the line in his teeth. 

"There's an idea!" cried Snap. "Let the dog carry the line. "

"Will he do it?" questioned Whopper. 

"We can try him and see. "

The end of the line was made fast to the collie's collar, and Giantwas told to call him. 

"Come, Wags! That's a good dog! Come!" called the small youth, and whistled and snapped his fingers. 

At first Wags appeared to be doubtful, but finally he ventured intothe water. Then he began to swim steadily toward the rock, draggingthe line behind him. 

"What a shame if the current carries him away!" murmured Whopper. 

"We'll not allow that, " answered the doctor's son. "If he losesground we can haul him in. "

Slowly but surely the dog drew closer to the rock. At last he gotwithin Giant's reach, and the youth caught him and pulled him up. 

"Tie the rope about your waist and we'll haul you to shore!" sangout Shep. "Bring the dog on your shoulder if you can. "

"I'll try it, " answered Giant. 

It was no easy matter for him, on the wet and slippery rock, toadjust the rope and get the collie on his shoulder. But presentlyhe announced that he was ready, and the boys on shore commencedto haul in. Down in the madly rushing water went Giant, and itwas all he could do to keep his feet. But luck was with him, andin a very few minutes he and the dog were safe. 

"That was quite an adventure, " he said when he had recovered hisbreath. 

"You went overboard in a great hurry, " remarked Whopper. "Andso did Wags. "

"The shock to the boat did it. It made me lose my balance beforeI was aware. "

"Let us be thankful Giant is safe, and Wags, " said the doctor's son. "And thankful, too, that the boat didn't go over. If it had ourouting would have been spoiled. "

"We've got to be mighty careful how we travel through the rest ofthis river, " remarked Snap. "The heavy rains have made a fiercetorrent of it. "

It must be confessed that the boys did not know exactly what to do. Should they venture on the river again, or carry the outfit to thebeginning of Firefly Lake?

"I've got an idea, " said Shep at last. "You can follow it ornot, as you think best. My idea is to have two of the crowd takethe boat down and the two others walk to Firefly Lake, carryingthe most precious of the outfit. "

"That suits me, " said Snap. 

"Who will walk and who take the boat?" questioned Whopper. 

"I might as well go in the boat---I'm wet already, " said Giant, smiling grimly. 

"The three of us can draw lots as to who shall go with Giant, " saidthe doctor's son. 

The drawing was at once made, and it fell to Snap to go with thesmall youth. The cameras and guns were taken from the rowboat andalso a few other things. Then the doctor's son and Whopper aidedthe others in getting the boat into the rushing river once more. 

"Take care of yourselves!" cried Shep. "If all goes right you'llget to the lake long before we do. "

In a moment the boat was caught by the current and whirled onward. Giant and Snap had all they could do to steer it. But, fortunately, they found no more such bad places as those already encountered, and in less than an hour found themselves floating on Firefly Lake, safe and sound. 

"The others might have come with us after all, " declared Giant. "Wonder how long it will take them to reach here?"

"I don't know; it depends on how rough they find the way. Maybe acouple of hours, " answered Snap. "We may as well go ashore, startup a camp and wait for them. "

CHAPTER X

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

The doctor's son and Whopper had no easy time of it making their waythrough the bushes and around the rocks which lined the watercoursebetween the two lakes. There was no trail on that side of the stream, and they had to "go it blind, " to use Shep's words. 

"Say, this is worse than climbing a mountain!" gasped Whopper, afterslipping and sliding over a number of rocks and coming down rathersuddenly in a hollow. 

"Rather knocks the breath out of a fellow, " returned Shep. "Take carethat you don't sprain an ankle, Whopper. "

"That's what I'm watching out for. I don't want my whole outingspoiled. "

After a large amount of hard walking and climbing they managed tocover about half the distance to Firefly Lake. But by that timeboth were so exhausted the doctor's son called a halt. 

"No use of killing ourselves, " he said. "We can't go any fartherthan the lake to-day, anyway. "

"Hope Snap and Giant wait for us at the mouth of the river, " saidWhopper. "I don't want to tramp along the lake shore afoot. "

"Oh, they'll wait, and mostly likely start a camp. "

"Say, if I remember rightly the river makes a bend to the right here, "went on Whopper after a pause. "And if that is so, what's thematter with our striking inland a short distance and cutting offsome of the walk?"

"I'm willing---anything to reach Firefly Lake before it gets toodark to see. "

Having rested themselves, the boys commenced to draw away from theriver shore, taking to the woods, where the walking was easier. Itwas now close to six o'clock, and the sun was going down over thetrees to the westward. 

"Hope they have supper ready by the time we get there, " said Whopperafter a period of silence. "This transit is making me as hungry asa bear. "

"Same here. Well, we'll have the partridge to fall back on, even ifthey don't cook anything else. "

The two young hunters tramped on. As they walked they kept theireyes open for a possible sight of game. So far all they had seenwere some birds, not worth shooting. 

Another quarter of a mile was covered when they came to a patch ofspruces. As they advanced they saw several rabbits leap from besideone of the trees. 

"A chance for a shot!" cried the doctor's son, and speedily swunghis shotgun into position, an example followed by his chum. Bothyoung hunters blazed away without delay, and each was successful inlaying a rabbit low. Before they could fire again the rest of thegame was out of sight. 

"Not very large, " was Shep's comment as they picked up the game. "Butthe rabbits are young, and they'll make fine eating. "

"It is a good thing that new game law isn't in effect yet, " saidWhopper. "If it was we'd not be allowed to shoot rabbits until nextOctober. "

"You are right, Whopper---hunting will be a good deal more restrictedafter the new laws go into effect. "

Placing the rabbits in a gamebag, the two chums walked on, past theclump of spruces and then across a little clearing. Here, much totheir surprise, they came in sight of a dilapidated cabin. It wasa small affair of rough logs with a rude stone chimney and onewindow and one door. One end of the cabin sagged greatly, as ifon the point of falling down. 

"I hadn't any idea this was here, " was the comment of the doctor'sson. "Wonder who it can belong to?"

"Perhaps some hunters put it up in days gone by, " returned Whopper. "It doesn't look as if it was inhabited. "

"Let's go in and take a look around, " suggested Shep. It was hisdelight to poke around in new and odd places. 

"We don't want to lose time, " was his chum's reply. "It will bedark before you know it. "

"Oh, it won't take long to look, " answered Shep. 

The old cabin was surrounded by weeds and bushes, and they had tofairly work their way to the doorway. 

"Somebody has been here, that's certain, " cried the doctor's son. "Here are eggshells and newly picked chicken feathers. "

"Hello, in there!" cried Whopper, poking his head into the smalldoorway. He could not see, for the cabin inside was dark. 

Scarcely had the word been uttered when a most surprising thinghappened. Something whizzed through the air, directly betweenthe heads of the two boy hunters. It was a good-sized chunk ofwood, and it struck a rock outside with a thud. 

"Why---why---stop that!" stammered Whopper, and fell back, and Shepdid the same. 

"Evidently somebody doesn't want visitors, " was the comment of thedoctor's son. "I say, " he called out, "what do you mean by heavingthat wo-----"

Crash! From the interior of the cabin came another chunk of wood, a gnarled root, just grazing Shep's shoulder. Then a stone followed, striking Whopper a glancing blow on the hip. Both lads retreated inconfusion. 

"Well, of all things!" gasped the doctor's son when he could get hisbreath. "That's a cordial welcome, I must say. "

"Have you any idea who it was?"

"Not the slightest. It was too dark to see anybody. "

"Couldn't be any of the Ham Spink crowd?"

"No. I don't think they'd treat us in just that way. "

"Maybe it's some crazy chap. "

"That's more like it---some hermit like old Peter Peterson, " returnedShep, referring to an old man who lived near the lakes and whorarely showed himself in any of the settlements. 

"Peter Peterson wasn't crazy; he didn't heave things at folks. "

"Let us see if we can get him to come out. I'd like to see what sortof a chap he is. "

Keeping at what they thought was a safe distance, the two boyhunters called loudly half a dozen times. No answer was returned. 

"Perhaps he's deaf, " suggested Whopper. 

"More likely he doesn't want to show himself. "

"Maybe it's a she, Shep. "

"Possibly. If it's a woman she must be a regular witch. Let uscall again. "

They did so. At first they heard nothing in return. Then camea strange sound from the cabin, and for one brief instant a dark, impish face showed itself at the broken window. Then the facedisappeared and a stone came whizzing toward the lads' heads. Theyducked just in time, or one or the other might have been seriouslyhurt. 

"Let's get out---no use of staying here to be a target!" criedWhopper, who was growing nervous. "No telling what that fellow---orwoman---may do next. Might come for us with a carving knife!"And he hurried away, with the doctor's son beside him. They didnot slacken their pace until the dilapidated cabin had disappearedfrom view. 

"Did you see him---or her?" asked Shep. 

"Just about and no more. What a dried-up, hateful face!"

"Just what I thought. I'll wager that that person, whoever he orshe is, is as mad as a---a crazy person can be. "

"I believe you, and I don't know as I want to go near that cabinagain. "

"We ought to tell the authorities about it, though. That personmight kill somebody some day. "

"Well, we can tell the police when we go back. "

"Could it be some tramp, who is living on farmers' chickens and thelike?"

"It might be. But I think it's somebody who's crazy. A trampwouldn't find it any fun to live away out here. Why, it must betwo miles, at least, to the nearest farm. "

"More like three. "

"Tramps like to stay near the farms and near railroads. No, that'ssome kind of a crazy hermit. "

Discussing the happening from every point of view, the two ladstrudged on. It was now growing dark rapidly, and they were anxiousto reach Firefly Lake. 

"Hope we haven't missed the way, " said the doctor's son presently. "Seems to me we ought to be getting to the river or the lake soon. "

"Here's a rise of ground. I'm going up there and take a look, "answered his chum. 

From the small hill they made out the glint of water in the distance, and they also saw the glare of the camp fire Snap and Giant hadstarted. 

"Might as well steer straight for the camp fire, " said Shep. "Itwill save us some walking. "

When within a few hundred feet of the camp they set up a loudwhistle, to which the others immediately responded. Then Snap andGiant came to meet them, and relieved them of some of the things. A little later all were seated around the camp fire. 

"So you got through all O. K. , eh?" said the doctor's son, after Snapand Giant had told their story. "Well, so did we---but we had somequeer things happen. " And then he and Whopper told of the tumbles, and of what had occurred at the old cabin in the woods. 

"Say, wish I had been along!" cried Snap. "I'd like to investigatethat cabin and see who is there. "

"You wouldn't want to investigate a block of wood or a stone thrownat your head, would you?" demanded Whopper sarcastically. 

"Maybe we could go there when the hermit---or whatever he or sheis---is asleep, " went on Snap. He always believed in getting at thebottom of a mystery. 

"If you go there you'll go without me, " declared Whopper firmly. "I wouldn't tempt that---er---crazy fellow again for a billiondollars! Why, he might come out and carve a chap all up with abutcher knife, or blow your head off with a gun!"

Supper was ready, and while they were talking the young huntersmanaged to stow away a hearty meal, after, which all felt better. But the experiences of the day had worn them out, and each wasglad enough to retire early. 

"We want to be stirring early to-morrow, " said the doctor's son. "We want to go up the lake and then begin to tote the outfit overthe hills to the mountains. "

"How about it---going to set a guard?" asked Giant. 

"Wonder if we can't put Wags on guard?" asked Snap. 

"I think he'd bark if anything came to disturb us, " came fromWhopper. 

"We'll tie him to the front tent pole, " said the doctor's son. "Thenhe won't be able to run off, and more than likely he'll bark ifanything goes wrong. "

They fixed the camp fire and then tied the collie fast by a cordslipped under his collar. Evidently Wags was used to this treatment, for he did not seem to mind it in the least. The young huntersentered the tent, and in less than a quarter of an hour all weresound asleep. 

Thus an hour passed. Then, of a sudden, all the lads found themselveswide awake. Wags was barking furiously, and the hair of his bodyseemed to be fairly standing on end. 

CHAPTER XI

A STRANGE MEETING

"Something is wrong!" cried Snap, leaping up and feeling for his gun. "What is it, Wags?"

The dog kept on barking and commenced to tug on the cord that held him. 

"Shall I let him loose?" asked Whopper. All the boys were now ontheir feet, and he and Giant were rubbing their eyes. The wind hadshifted and was blowing the smoke of the smoldering camp fire towardthe tent. 

"Don't do it---yet, " answered the doctor's son. "He might bitesomebody. Let us go outside first. "

"Maybe it's that crazy hermit, " suggested Whopper, and gave a littleshiver. He could still see that impish face glaring at him. "Becareful. "

One after another the young hunters stepped into the open, each withhis gun ready for use. Shep stirred up the camp fire and threw onsome lightwood, causing a renewed blaze. 

"I don't see anything wrong, " said Shep after a long look around. 

"See any wild beasts?" asked Giant. "Wags would bark at a wild beast, I am sure. "

"Nothing in sight now. "

All walked completely around the tent and the camp fire, but failedto see anything out of the ordinary. The collie had now ceasedbarking and was wagging his tail, apparently as happy and free fromanxiety as ever. 

"The dog must have dreamed he heard something, " grumbled Whopper. "Hang the luck! I was so sleepy!" And he yawned broadly, settinghis chums to doing likewise. 

"Well, dogs do dream sometimes, " admitted the doctor's son. "Butwhat made him bark so loudly and look so mad?"

Nobody could answer that question, and nobody tried. They tookanother look around the tent, fixed the fire again, and at last oneby one retired to rest once more, Wags at the foot of the tent poleas before. 

It was broad daylight when they awoke again, and for a while nobodyfelt like stirring. At length Snap looked at his watch. 

"Great mackerel!" he ejaculated. "Eight o'clock! Time we weregetting breakfast and moving. "

"That's so, " answered Shep. "Still, there is no great hurry. Ourtime is our own. That's the charm of such an outing as this. "

"I think we might stay here to-day, " came from Giant. "It will giveus a chance to rest up and to fish. Remember, we won't have muchfishing after we get to the mountains. "

"We can get brook trout, " answered Whopper. "But just the same I'mwilling to stay here to-day and fish. Maybe we can get some bigmaskalonge, same as we did before. "

"And if we can't get those we can get some pickerel and bass andperch, " added Giant. 

Snap had promised to get breakfast ready, and he set in with a willas soon as he was dressed. While he was working Giant and Whopperwalked down to a cove, where the boat had been left, to look overtheir rods and lines. The doctor's son busied himself with acamera, determined to take a few pictures before leaving the lakeshore. 

Suddenly there came from the cove a hurried shouting that instantlyattracted the attention of Snap and Shep. 

"What are they saying?" demanded the doctor's son. 

"I don't know---something about the boat, " answered Snap, anddropping the coffee-pot he held he ran toward the lake. Shepset the camera on a box and followed. 

When they arrived at the cove they found Giant and Whopper gazingup and down and across the water in perplexity. The rowboat, withthe larger portion of their outfit, was nowhere to be seen. 

"Where's the boat?" demanded Snap. 

"That's what we want to know, " answered Giant. 

"Didn't you leave it tied up?"

"Certainly I did---to this elderberry bush. "

"Well, where is it now

"Don't ask me. "

"Did Giant tie the boat?" asked the doctor's son. He had not seenthe craft since the parting at the rapids. 

"Yes, I did---and I tied it good and fast, too, " answered the smallyouth. "Snap saw me do it. "

"Yes, I saw him tie it up, but I thought maybe he shifted the boatafterward. "

"No, I left it just as it was tied up. "

The boy hunters looked blankly at one another. All gazed up and downthe shore and across the lake. 

"Maybe Ham Spink-----" began Snap. 

"If he took our boat I'll---I'll kick him full of holes!" criedGiant. He had not forgotten how Spink and his cronies had annoyedthem in the past. 

"I don't see any footprints around here, " remarked the doctor's son, looking over the ground carefully. 

"Here's a tree branch broken, " said Whopper. 

"They might have come in a boat and towed our craft away, " suggestedSnap. 

"Boys, I know why Wags barked during the night!" cried Giant. "Heheard somebody at the boat. "

"Yes, and we didn't know enough to come down here, " added Snapbitterly. "If we had come we could have caught the boat-stealersredhanded. "

A lively discussion followed, but it did nothing toward enlighteningthe boy hunters. The one fact remained that the boat and a largeportion of the outfit were gone, and unless the craft could berecovered their outing would come to a premature finish. 

"All I can think of to do is to take our guns and walk up and downthe lake front, " said the doctor's son. "Two can go one way, andtwo the other. If you see anything, shout or fire a gun. "

"Shall we have breakfast first?" asked Snap, "It's started. "

"Might as well, since we don't know how long this search will last. "

Much disappointed, the chums walked back to the camp fire and theremade a hasty meal of cold partridge, crackers, cheese and coffee. They left Wags tied to the tent pole. 

"Maybe he'll scare off intruders---if any come, " said Shep. 

It was decided that Snap and Shep should go up the shore and Giantand Whopper down in the direction of the river leading to LakeCameron. All started off briskly, anxious to catch sight of theircraft as speedily as possible, or learn what had become of it. 

It was comparatively easy to walk along the shore of Firefly Lake, and Snap and the doctor's son made good progress. They passed thecamp, receiving a joyous bark from Wags, and then skirted a smallbay leading to a fine, sandy beach. 

"Fine spot for a swim, " remarked Snap. "We ought to have onebefore we go to the mountains. "

"Yes; but let us find the boat first. "

"Of course. "

Half an hour's walking brought the two churns to another bay. Theywere walking behind a fringe of bushes, and now the doctor's sonstepped forward, parted the branches and peered eagerly out on thebosom of the lake. 

"Hello!" he cried, with something of joy in his voice. 

"Is it the boat?"

"Yes!"

And now Snap came forward. 

"There it is, just rounding yonder bend of the shore. Hurry up!We'll catch the rascal who is running off with it!"

They had seen the craft, piled high with their outfit. A singleperson was at the oars---a boy, by his size. He was pulling leisurely. 

"Maybe he won't come ashore; and we can't follow him out on the lake, "said Snap. 

"We won't have to follow him. "

"But if he won't come in?"

"We'll make him, " and the doctor's son raised his shotgunsignificantly. 

"That's so; I forgot about our guns. Of course he'll come inif we threaten to shoot him. "

The boys quickened their footsteps and soon reached a point oppositeto where the rowboat was moving along. 

"Hi, you, stop!" yelled Shep loudly. "Stop, I say!"

At the command the boy in the boat ceased rowing and looked aroundcuriously. 

"Who called?" he asked in a low but distinct voice. 

"I did, " went on the doctor's son. "Turn in here with that boatand be quick about it. What do you mean by running off with ourproperty?"

"Why, I declare!" gasped Snap as he caught a good look at the faceof the lad in the rowboat. "Shep, do you recognize him? He's thelad from the circus---the young acrobat who ran away!"

CHAPTER XII

THE CIRCUS BOY'S STORY

Snap was right; it was indeed the youthful circus performer. Helooked as thin as ever, but his face bore a far more healthy colorthan when the young hunters had seen him before. 

"I say, what do you mean by running off with our boat?" repeatedthe doctor's son wrathfully. 

"Is this your boat?" asked the circus boy calmly. 

"It is. "

"I didn't run off with it. I found it drifting along the shore, and I took off my shoes and socks and waded in after it. "

"You didn't run off with it?" asked Snap. 

"I give you my word of honor, " replied the boy quickly. He ranthe boat to shore and stepped out. "If it's your property, I'mglad to hand it over to you. I---Say, didn't I see you somewherebefore?" he demanded excitedly. 

I rather guess you did---at the circus, replied Shep. 

"Oh! You were the fellows who---who talked to Jones, the ringmaster. "

"Exactly. And you're the chap who ran away. "

"That's true, I did run away. Can you blame me? They half starvedme and beat me, and wanted me to go up on the trapeze after I hadhad a spell of sickness. "

"We saw you on a freight train leaving Rallings. "

"Oh, did you? Yes, I left town on a freight. It was the easiest wayto go---and the cheapest. " And the boy smiled quietly. 

"Now give us the truth about our boat, " said Shep sternly. "Youran off with it last night, didn't you?"

"No, sir!" And the boy looked the doctor's son squarely in the eyes. "I never took any property that didn't belong to me in my life. "

"And where did you find the boat?"

"About half a mile from here, along the shore. I made up my mindit had broken loose somehow, and I thought if I found the owner hemight---er---that is-----"

"Give you a reward?" suggested Snap. Something about the lad'smanner pleased him. 

"Well, he might give me something to eat. "

"Hungry?"

The boy nodded. 

"Well, we'll give you something to eat---all you want---if you arequite sure you didn't take the boat, " answered the doctor's son. 

"I told you the truth. "

"Then get into the boat again, and we'll row to our camp. "

The three got in, the strange boy sitting in the stern. Shep andSnap took up the oars and soon the craft was heading for the covewhere it had been tied up the night before. A shot was fired tonotify Giant and Whopper that the boat had been found. 

"What's your name?" asked Snap on the way. 

"Tommy Cabot; but up to the show they called me Buzz. "

"Are your folks with the circus?"

"My folks are dead---that is, my father and mother are. I've gota sister somewhere, older than myself, but I don't know just whereshe is. "

"How did you happen to go with the circus?" asked Shep. 

"They picked me up at Centerport. They saw that I was limber andcould do a turn or two, and they made me join. They promised megood wages and a fine time, but as soon as we got on the road theytreated me worse than my dog. "

"Your dog?"

"Yes. I had a dog, and I said I wouldn't join unless they took thedog, too. Jones wanted me to give him, the dog---he was a finecollie---but I wouldn't do it, and when I left I took my dog with me. "

"Where is he now?"

"I don't know. He ran away several days ago, and I haven't seen himsince. "

"And he was a collie?" asked Snap. 

"Yes. " Tommy Cabot's eyes brightened expectantly. "You haven'tseen him, have you? He must be somewhere around these lakes. "

"We found a dog---a collie. He's got a tag on his collar---number444. "

"My dog!" cried the circus boy. "Oh, I'll be glad to see him! He'smy best friend, even if he did run away. Anyway, I guess he wentto get something to eat. I hadn't much for him. "

"What do you call your dog?" asked the doctor's son. 

"Wags---because he moves his tail so much. "

"Well, I never! That's what we dubbed him. "

"Tell me, " broke in Snap. "Do you know what happened at the circusafter you left?"

"I heard that some of the animals got away. I didn't hear theparticulars. I went down among the farms and laid low, waiting forthe circus to go east. "

"A lion got away, and also Abe, the educated chimpanzee. The circusfolks think those men who were discharged and you were responsible. "

"Me! I didn't do it, and I never had anything to do with those menwho were discharged. They were a hard crowd. "

A little later the camp was gained. As soon as the dog saw TommyCabot he became frantic with joy and leaped up and licked thehand of his youthful master. Tommy fairly hugged Wags to hisbreast. 

Of course, Whopper and Giant were surprised to see the circus boyand glad to know the boat had been found. How the craft had gottenloose was a mystery nobody was able to solve. 

A substantial breakfast was prepared for the circus boy, and whilehe was eating he told his story in detail---how his parents haddied years before, and how his sister Grace had been taken by somefriends in the Middle West. 

"I sold papers and blacked boots for a living, and I learned to dohandsprings and the like, " said Tommy. "Then the circus came alongand I went with it, taking Wags. Some of the circus men were kindto me, but most of them were rough, and Jones and Casso were cruel. When I ran away I made up my mind I'd never go back, but would tryto get work in some city and also try to find my sister Grace. ButI ran short of money and then I came out here, thinking I could getwork on some farm, or go with some sportsmen to carry their trapsfor 'em. But I didn't find any farms out here, and the onlysportsmen I met were some well-dressed young fellows who jeeredme and called me a scarecrow---I suppose on account of my shabbyclothes. " The circus boy still wore the big suit of rags theyoung hunters had noticed before. 

"Must have been Ham Spink and his crowd, " murmured Whopper. "Itwould be just like them to do that. "

In spite of the color in his cheeks the young hunters could seethat the circus lad was far from strong. He was nervous, andevidently needed plenty of food and a rest. 

Having heard the runaway's tale, Snap and the others told somethingabout themselves. Tommy listened with keen interest, and presentlyhis eyes showed considerable enthusiasm. 

"I wish I was going with you, " he said. "Such an outing would suitme down to the ground. I can cook some, and I could wash thedishes and cut wood and keep the camp in order, and all that. But I don't suppose you'd want me along in these old duds. "And he looked sadly at his torn and faded suit, so much too bigfor him. 

"Oh, we might fit you out with a sweater and a cap, " said Snap. Themore he saw of the circus boy the better he liked the young fellow. "But I don't know, " he added hastily, looking at his chums. 

"We didn't expect to take anybody, " said the doctor's son slowly. "But you might stay with us for a day or two, anyway---and we cantalk it over. We ought to be better acquainted before we make abargain. "

"He could help us take our outfit to the mountains, " said Giant. "Wecould pay him for the work. "

"I don't want any pay. Just give me my meals, and it will be allright. "

"We can settle the whole thing later, " said Shep. "But you canstay for the present. "

"Wasn't it queer?" cried Whopper. "We found your dog and you foundour boat!"

"It was queer---but I'm glad of it, for it kind of squares up, "answered the circus boy. "I don't know how much you think of yourboat, but I think a whole lot of Wags. "

"If we hadn't got the boat back our outing would have been spoiled, "said the doctor's son. "But come; if we are going fishing, let usstart at once. We can do the rest of our talking after our linesare in. "

CHAPTER XIII

SOME FINE FISHING

The four boy hunters were soon down at the lake shore preparing theirhooks and lines. Tommy Cabot went along, and while they fished he satand watched them. 

"This beats being with a circus all hollow, " said the young acrobat. 

"I always thought circus life was fine, " declared Giant. 

"It is---on the outside. But on the inside! No more of it for me!"

"Did they pay you much?" questioned Whopper. 

"I was supposed to get ten dollars a week, but I didn't. Everytime payday came around they'd deduct something for extras I hadhad and things they said I had broken, or torn, or lost, so Iusually got two or three dollars, and that I had to spend on clothing, shoes---and eating, for the meals weren't heavy at the show. Then, one night, some scamp stole my suit, and I had to buy thesefrom one of the workmen. I got 'em cheap, but they aren't muchgood, " and Tommy smiled grimly as he surveyed the dilapidatedgarments. 

At fishing the boys were highly successful. Snap caught the firstfish---a good-sized perch---and the doctor's son followed with afine pickerel. Then came Whopper with another pickerel. For awhile Giant caught nothing. 

"What's the matter, Giant?" queried Snap. "You are usually ourbest angler. "

"Oh, wait; I haven't begun yet, " returned the small youth. 

Scarcely had he spoken when he felt a tug and commenced to play afish with vigor. That it was a large specimen of the finny tribewas evident by the way the rod bent and the line snapped and hummed. 

"Look out, or you'll lose him!" cried Whopper excitedly. 

"Let Giant alone---he knows how to play any fish, " said Snap. 

"That's what!" added the doctor's son. 

The others forgot their lines in watching Giant. Up came the linefor fifty feet, and then out it would rush. But at last hecommenced to reel in steadily, and then, with a swing, he liftedhis catch bodily and allowed it to drop on the grass, where itflounced and flopped vigorously for a moment. 

"A maskalonge!" cried the other boys simultaneously. 

"And a big one!" added Whopper. 

"Tell you what! It takes Giant to haul in the big fish!" was Snap'scomment. "No little chaps for him!"

The catching of the maskalonge enthused all, and they went to fishingwith renewed vigor. By dinner-time they had eighteen fish to theircredit, a few little ones and some weighing two and three pounds. 

"Say, you fellows will have plenty of fish to eat, " remarked theboy from the circus. 

"Well, you shall have your share, " added Snap quickly. "Which putsme in mind that it must be near feeding time. "

"Shall I get some wood and start up the fire?" asked Tommy. 

"If you will. "

At once the circus boy started off, and when the others got backto camp they found a fine blaze going with plenty of wood near byto keep it up. Tommy was washing the left-over dishes, and hadset a kettle of water to boil. 

"He certainly isn't lazy, " whispered Snap to Shep. "If we takehim along he'll earn his food. "

"Yes, and if he does the camp work that will give us more time torest and take pictures, " returned the doctor's son. 

"Boys, I move we take a swim this afternoon, " cried Giant, whilethey were sitting around waiting for some fish to cook. "It willbe our last chance before going to the mountains, and the water isjust right. "

"Second the motion!" returned Snap. 

"So say we all of us!" sang out Whopper. "I've been dying for aswim for the last ten years!"

"Dying again! Poor boy!" sighed Shep. "Now, if you'll only live-----"

He got no further, for, coming up behind him, Whopper pulled himover on the grass. As he went rolling he caught his tormentorby the ankles and down came Whopper. Then over and over rolledboth lads, up against Giant, who joined in the tussle good-naturedly. 

"Look out for the fire!" yelled Snap, and as they rolled closeto the flames he tried to force them back. Then down he wenthimself, and the mix-up became more strenuous than ever. It wasgood, healthy fun, and Tommy Cabot stood by with a broad grinon his face, enjoying it thoroughly. As they rolled toward thewoods he picked up an armful of leaves and scattered it over thecrowd. The tussle lasted for full five minutes, and then thevarious boys sat up almost exhausted. 

"Guess you've got an appetite for dinner now, " observed the boyfrom the circus. 

"Appetite!" cried Whopper. "I could eat a house and lot!"

"With the fence and barn thrown in, " added Giant. 

They washed up a bit and soon had dinner, consisting of bakedmaskalonge, pancakes and chocolate. For dessert they had apples. 

"Now we'll rest for an hour and then go swimming, " said Shep, andso it was decided. All took a nap, Tommy lying down on the grasswith the faithful Wags beside him. 

While fishing the boys had selected a spot for swimming, where thebottom was sloping and sandy. They went in together, the circusboy with the others. 

"You can swim?" asked Snap. 

"Oh, yes. And if I couldn't Wags would take care of me, " answeredTommy. "Just see him tow me!" And getting a stick he called thecollie. Wags took hold of the end and commenced to swim along, dragging his young master after him. 

"Hurrah for Wags!" shouted Whopper. "When I get tired I'll havehim haul me along for a while. " Evidently the collie enjoyed thebath as much as did the boys. 

They remained in the water for the best part of an hour, racing, diving and doing various "stunts. " When they came out Snap declaredit was the best swim he had ever had. 

"It's a pity we won't be able to swim in the mountains, " said Giant. 

"Well, we can't expect to have everything, " returned the doctor's son. 

Having dried off and dressed, the boys returned to camp and spentthe rest of the afternoon in getting ready to move early in themorning. It was decided to hide the boat in the bushes and leavea portion of their outfit in the craft, tied down under the tarpaulin. They would carry with them all the things needed for several days, so that a second trip would not be necessary until they felt liketaking it. 

"I'll carry a share, " said Tommy. "I'm feeling stronger than I was. "

"We'll give you a small load, " answered the doctor's son. 

They retired early and were up at sunrise. Tommy renewed the campfire, and they had a meal of fish and wheatcakes, with coffee. Thenthe tent was taken down and packed along with the other things. 

"Now put out the fire and we'll be off, " said Shep, and he saw to itpersonally that every spark of the blaze was extinguished. As myold readers know, the boy hunters knew only too well what a forestfire meant, and they had no desire to start such a conflagration. 

Their route now lay over some hills that were more or less strangeto them. But they had received many instructions from Jed Sanborn, and thought they would have little trouble in gaining a trail backof the hills that led into the Windy Mountains. 

"Are the mountains really windy?" asked Snap as they began the climbup the hills back of the lake, each with a good-sized load strappedto his back. 

"They are only windy at certain times of the year, " answered thedoctor's son. "But when it blows, why, it blows, so Jed Sanbornsaid. "

"Then we'll have to put our tent up good and strong, " came fromWhopper. "We don't want to wake up some night and find ourselvesblown into the middle of next year!"

"And dying to know how we are going to get back, " added Giant dryly. 

"Giant, if you say dying again---" began Whopper. 

"Save your wind, boys!" interrupted Shep. "We've got a long andhard climb before us. "

What the doctor's son said about the climb was true---the way wasa steady pull upward, and they had frequently to stop to get theirbreath. It was nearly eleven o'clock when they reached the top ofthe hill. They had been on the upgrade for three hours. 

"Let us rest until after dinner, " said Snap. "No use killingourselves. "

"We've still got some miles to go, " answered Shep. 

"I know it---but it will be mostly down grade---at least, until wereach the foot of the mountains. "

It was decided to rest, and all of the young hunters willinglyslipped their loads and sat down. Below them was Firefly Lake, withLake Cameron in the distance on one side and Lake Narsac in thedistance on the other. Back of them lay the Windy Mountains, witha hollow of trees and bushes between. The boys viewed the mountainswith interest, thinking of the outing they hoped to have there. 

CHAPTER XIV

AFTER DEER WITH GUN AND CAMERA

"I hope we strike a good camping spot by night, " said Snap, "for, unless I miss my guess, it will rain before morning. "

"Oh, don't say rain!" cried Giant. "We can do without rain. "

"It may not be a lasting storm, but some rain will come, mark mywords. "

"I think I see the trail up the mountains, " said Whopper, who waslooking through a pair of fieldglasses. "Anyway, it's path ofsome kind. "

The others gave a look, and all decided that Whopper was right. 

Resuming their loads after the noonday repast, they started downthe hill in the direction of Windy Mountains. They had some bigbare rocks to cover, and slipped and slid over these as best theycould, and then plunged straight into a thick woods. 

"Ought to be hunting here, if anywhere, " observed Shep. "Looks asif it was new ground for sportsmen. "

"Beware of sink holes!" cried Whopper as he reached a rather softspot. "We don't want to go down as we did the other time we wereout. "

"Look!" exclaimed the doctor's son as they came to a small openingin the woods. "Deer, or I'll eat my cap!"

He pointed to some bushes and tender saplings growing near. Thebushes had been nibbled, and so had the bark on the saplings, showing that some animal had been there. 

"I believe you are right, and if so we may get a shot, " answeredGiant. 

"Yes, a shot---but not until after we have used our cameras, "answered the doctor's son. "Don't forget the first object of thisouting---to get some good pictures. "

"Right you are, Shep; I forgot. But we must shoot the deer---afterwe have our photos. "

"Better sight the game first, " came from Snap. 

With the thoughts of bringing down one or more deer filling theirminds, the boy hunters did not care so much about making a camp forthe night. If necessary, they knew they could erect their tentanywhere, and take it down again in the morning. Even the prospectof rain did not daunt them. 

"Let us hurry, " said Shep. "If we reach the deer we want to do itwhile it is light enough to take some pictures. "

With their cameras and guns ready for use, they went on, Tommycautioning the dog to be silent. Wags seemed to understand andeven acted as if he might lead them to the game. But he was nottrained, so they took no chances on this. 

Deep in a hollow they came upon the unmistakable hoofmarks of threedeer. They followed these through the woods and to a small clearing. At a clump of bushes the doctor's son called a halt. 

"I think they may be near, " he whispered. "If so, we want to go slowor they'll get away from us. "

"Perhaps you'd better go ahead and take a look, " said Snap, sure thatthat was what his chum desired. 

The loads were slipped to the ground, and they went on, Shep wellin advance. Suddenly the doctor's son put up one hand. It was asignal that the game was in sight. Snap whispered to Tommy to stopand hold the collie. 

"There they are, by yonder rocks, " said the doctor's son, pointingwith his finger. "We can all get good pictures, I think. Let usspread out a little. "

They did as he advised. The three deer were close together, grazing. The boys came up almost breathlessly, and each snapped his camerafor two films or plates. At the first clicking one of the deer, evidently the leader, raised his head. Scenting the air, he madea beautiful sight. For just an instant he stood still, then gavea snort and started to run. 

"Shoot 'em!" cried Shep, and swinging his camera out of the way hecaught up his firearm. But Snap was ahead of him, and bang! wenthis piece. Bang! bang! bang! went the others in rapid succession. Then Wags began to bark furiously, and Tommy let him go. After thegame he leaped at his topmost speed. 

The first volley from the shotguns laid one of the deer low, whilea second was slightly wounded, and began to limp away. The otherdeer kept on running and soon disappeared into the dense forest. 

"Come on---let us get that wounded deer!" cried Whopper. 

"There goes Wags after him!" shouted Tommy. 

"That dog will get killed if he doesn't look out, " answered Snap, who knew only too well how a cornered deer can fight. But Wags wastoo wise to get within reach of the deer's hoofs and head. He racedaround and around the game, simply worrying it. 

Coming closer, the boy hunters watched their chances and Snap tookanother shot, followed by Giant. These were fatal, and limping afew feet farther, the deer staggered and fell, and soon breathedits last. 

"Call off the dog, " ordered the doctor's son. But this wasunnecessary, for after a single sniff Wags retired and did notattempt to molest the game. 

"Talk about luck!" cried Whopper, swinging his cap in the air. "Icall this prime! Two deer, first crack out of the box!"

"Yes; and see the fine pictures we got, " added Snap. "That is, Itrust they are all right, " he added hastily. 

"Did you change your films and plates?" asked the doctor's son. 

All had, and they guarded jealously those containing the preciousexposures. 

"Now we must take some more photos, " said Shep. "We'll get Tommyto snap us holding up the deer on poles. We can label the twopictures 'Before Shooting' and 'After. '

"That's the stuff!" cried Giant slangily. 

Two poles were soon cut and a deer slung on each, and while Shepand Snap raised up one, Whopper and Giant raised the other. Tommyhad been instructed as to what to do, and he took a snapshot or atime picture with each camera, so that they would have plenty offilms and plates, in case one or more proved failures. 

"It's a bit extravagant, " said the doctor's son. "But we'll nothave such game pictures every day. When we simply take sceneryone plate or one film will do. "

"When we make camp we can hang the deer in front of the tent andget another view, " said Snap. 

"Yes; and get a view of our big string of fish, before we eat 'emall up, " added Giant. 

"Well, one thing is certain, " said Whopper, after they had surveyedtheir prizes thoroughly; "we can't get to the Windy Mountains byto-night with such a load. "

"In that case we might as well make two bites of the trip and camphere for to-night, " said Shep. "I reckon this spot is as good as any. There's a brook with good water, for the deer have been using it. "

"There's another reason for going into camp, " came from Snap. "Justlook at the sky over to the west. "

All gazed in the direction mentioned and saw heavy black cloudsjust showing over the treetops. The clouds advanced rapidly, sooncovering the sun. Then came the rumble of distant thunder. 

"A thunderstorm!" exclaimed Tommy. "I don't like them at all. What shall we do?"

"Put up the tent as quickly as we can, " ordered the doctor's son. "That storm may last all night, and we want to keep dry if we can. "

In great haste they selected some saplings and cut them down fortent poles and pegs. Then they got out the canvas and put it up, driving in the pegs that held it as deeply as possible. The tentwas erected on some sloping ground, and behind it they cut a V inthe soil, so that the water might run off on either side insteadof across the flooring of the shelter. Then they cut somebrushwood for couches and hauled it inside. 

"Here comes the storm!" cried Snap presently, and scarcely had hespoken when there came a rush of wind, followed by some big dropsof rain. Then came more wind, swaying the tent violently andcausing the sides to bulge out like a balloon. A torrent ofwater followed, and all of the boys were glad enough to crawl underthe tent and tie the opening in front tight shut behind them. 

CHAPTER XV

IN THE MOUNTAINS AT LAST

The boys and even the dog put in a thoroughly uncomfortable night. It thundered and lightened for two hours, and for the largerportion of the time the downpour was so heavy that it was impossiblefor the V-shaped trench behind the tent to carry it off. Consequently, some of the water rushed directly across the flooring of the shelter, wetting the brushwood cut for sleeping purposes. To keep theirshoes and socks dry, the young hunters went barefooted. Once thewind cut loose a corner of the tent, and, despite the rain, Shepand Snap had to go out and cut longer pegs with which to fastenthe ropes. They had on rubber coats, but still got a good deal ofwater in their faces and down their necks. 

It was impossible to light a camp fire, and so they had to eat acold supper of such things as chanced to be handy. They couldnot lie down, and had to sit on little stacks of the damp brushwood, with their bare feet in the water and mud. 

"Say, this is dead loads of fun!" was Whopper's sarcastic comment. "Just as funny as doing an example in algebra or writing a compositionon the decay of the Roman Empire!"

"Are you dying to-----" began Giant, when a vigorous pinch on the armfrom Whopper stopped him. "Wow! Let up!"

"Then you let up. "

"I will. "

By midnight the worst of the storm was over, but it still rainedsteadily, and this kept up until almost daybreak. But then the windshifted and the clouds scattered rapidly. Utterly worn out, the boysleaned against the tent poles and caught such "cat naps" as they could. 

When the young hunters finally emerged from the tent a surpriseawaited them. Tommy was ahead of them, and the circus boy had cutsuch dry wood as he could find and started a big blaze. More thanthis, he had put on a kettle of water to boil. 

"Good for you, Tommy!" cried the doctor's son. "We'll soon have ahot cup of coffee to cheer us, and we can dry out the tent and ourclothing while we get breakfast. "

"That's about the worst night I can remember, " said Whopper. "My!how it did pour at first! I thought sure we'd be washed down intosome hillside torrent and into the lake. "

They placed all the damp things close to the fire to dry, and puton their socks and shoes. Then Giant and Whopper, assisted byTommy, prepared a rather elaborate breakfast of fish and venisonsteaks. 

"We deserve a square meal, " said Giant. "It will put new vigor intous. " And his words proved true. By the time they had finished therepast they were ready to joke over the discomforts through whichthey had passed. 

"But one storm is enough, " said Snap. "I trust it stays clearafter this. "

The woods were so wet it was decided not to travel through themuntil after dinner. The sun came out strongly, and in the clear skythus presented the boys managed to get several pleasing photographs. One was of Tommy and his dog sitting on a rock, and this was so goodthat, when shown later, it was very much admired. They also tooka photograph of Giant and Whopper with the strings of fish. 

Late that afternoon found them at the foot of the Windy Mountains. Here they discovered a well-defined trail and also a signboard, telling them the game preserve in which Dr. Reed was interestedwas just beyond. "

"Now we haven't much farther to go, " said the doctor's son. "Myfather said we'd find a good camping spot less than a mile from here. "

"I'm glad of it, " answered Giant. "This load on my back isn't aslight as it might be. "

Pushing on, they soon came to where another signboard had beenlocated; but the board had been knocked off with a stone or ahammer and was missing. 

"Some hunter's meanness, " was Snap's comment. 

"A fellow who would destroy a signboard ought to be locked up, "was Whopper's comment. "It's about on a par with starting a forestfire. "

They trudged on, and presently came to where somebody had hada camp fire. Here were some empty tins and some well-picked bones. Giant kicked over one of the empty tins. 

"Hello! I know who was here!" he cried. "Ham Spink and his crowd. "

"How do you know?" demanded the doctor's son. 

"Because I know they had some of this brand of canned goods with'em---saw it among their supplies. It's different from the kind wehave, or what you can get in the regular stores. The Spinks havetheir goods sent by freight from the city. "

"Giant must be right, " said Snap. "And look here, will you?"

As he spoke Snap pulled from the dead embers of the fire a half-burnedbit of wood. It was part of a signboard. 

"Humph! the signboard that was missing below here, " muttered Shep. "Ham and his crowd were too lazy to cut firewood, so they usedthe board. If that isn't the height of laziness and meanness!"

"It's against the law to destroy signboards, " said Whopper. "Thatcrowd ought to be brought to book for this. "

"If you said anything they'd say we did it, " responded Snap. "Hamwould do anything to keep out of trouble and get us into a muss. "

"That camp fire was built after the storm, " said the doctor's son. "That proves the Spink crowd can't be far from here. "

"If they are near us we want to be on our guard, " observed Giant. "They'd like no better fun than to steal our things. They haven'tforgotten what happened on the lakes this summer and last winter. "

The boy hunters were bound for a spot mentioned to them by Dr. Reed and Jed Sanborn. It was a small "dent" in the mountain side, where were located a fine spring of cool water with a rocky brookbeyond. Some distance farther was a cut in the mountain with atiny lake, surrounded by cedars and called Cedar Lake. 

It was nightfall when they reached the "dent" and the spring. Allwere thirsty, and the sparkling water was very refreshing. 

"Father says that some day he'll organize a company to bottle thiswater, " said Shep. "He is sure it will command a large sale in thebig cities---it is so clear and pure. "

"It couldn't be better, " answered Snap. He looked around him. "Andwhat an ideal spot for our camp!"

It assuredly was ideal in every respect. They could see for milesto the east, south and west, over hill after hill, covered withgreen trees and brushwood, with ribbons of water between, and hereand there a lake. Using the field-glasses they could make out thechurch steeple of Fairview and some other buildings. Between thehills they could see various farms, with the cattle grazing in thepastures, or standing in groups in the barnyards. All was as silentand as calm as one could wish. 

"What a place for a castle, like those of old!" murmured Snap as hiseyes roamed over the scene. "Just think of this in the light of thefull moon. "

"Snap is getting romantic, " came from Whopper. "Come on down to theearth, sonny, and help pitch the tent, or you'll have to sleep outin that moonlight to-night and run the risk of getting moonstruck. "And this remark brought forth a laugh, in which even Snap joined. 

As tired as they were, the five boys cut the necessary poles andhoisted the tent. As this was to be a permanent camp for someweeks they erected the shelter with care, and around it dug a deeptrench, with another trench to carry rain down the mountain side, so that none might run over the flooring as it had during thethunderstorm. Then they spent considerable time in cutting downsome heavy cedar boughs for bedding. Snap, Whopper and Tommydid this latter work, and while it was going on Shep and Giantgot together some flat stones and built something of a fireplaceand a stove, not far from the tent's entrance. Then they cutfirewood and soon had a generous blaze started and put the kettleon to boil. 

"And are we going to stay here for a while, and just hunt and fishand---and rest?" asked the boy from the circus. 

"Yes, " answered Shep. "Don't you like it?"

"Like it! I think it's the---the best ever! Couldn't be better!"was the hearty reply. 

"I think it will make you fat and strong, Tommy, and that's what youneed. "

"And another thing, " answered the boy. "Those circus people can'tfind me out here. "

"It's not likely. "

Everybody was glad that a permanent camp had been reached at last, and that night all slept "like rocks, " to use Giant's way ofexpressing it. They left Wags on guard, but this was unnecessary, for nothing came to disturb them. 

The next day was spent in perfecting the camp and in taking care ofwhat remained of the fish and of the venison. The skins were nailedup in the sun to dry. The boys were sorry they could not keep allof the meat, but this was impossible, as they had no ice and nomeans of smoking or pickling it. 

"Here comes somebody!" cried Whopper, while they sat around waitingfor supper, which Snap and Tommy were preparing. Two boys wereapproaching, and as they came closer the young hunters recognizedHam Spink and his close crony, Carl Dudder. 

CHAPTER XVI

A VISIT FROM THE ENEMY

"Wonder what they want?" whispered Shep as the newcomers drew closer. 

"Perhaps they have only come out of idle curiosity, " returned Snap. 

"Well, in that case, they had better stay away, " grumbled Giant. 

Ham Spink and Carl Dudder came up slowly. To tell the truth, theywere a bit afraid, thinking the others might jump on them andbegin a fight, because of what had happened at the Fairview dock. 

"Hello!" said Ham presently. He did not know how else to starta conversation. 

"Hello yourself!" responded the doctor's son shortly. 

"Going to camp out here, eh?" went on the dudish youth. 

"Oh, no; we've opened an oyster house, " returned Whopper, who wasbound to have his fun. 

"Humph! Frank Dawson, you needn't get funny!"

"Was I funny? I didn't see you laugh. "

"You know what I mean. "

"Expect to do some big hunting, I suppose?" said Carl Dudder with abit of a sneer in his tones. 

"We generally do pretty well when we are out, " responded Snap. 

"Following us up, eh?"

"Not at all. "

"Yes, you are. You knew we were coming here. "

"And you know who this tract of land belongs to, now?" said thedoctor's son. 

"It isn't fenced in, " answered Carl, and his face took on a leer. "Anybody can hunt here who wants to. "

"That is true---but it will be fenced in next season. And, by theway, what right had you to tear down one of the signboards and useit for firewood?"

"Who said we did that?" demanded Ham. 

"We saw the half-burned board at your camp fire. "

"You can't blame that on us!" cried Carl. 

"We can, and do, " responded Snap. "You ought to be locked up for it. "

"Oh, give us a rest!" growled Ham. 

"What brought you here?" demanded Snap sharply. 

"Oh, we knew we were being followed---saw you from a distance---andmade up our mind to see who it was. I don't see why you can't leaveus alone. "

"We are not following you, " said Giant, "And if you'll leave usalone we'll not bother you. "

"But you have got to keep your distance, " added Whopper. "Nomore underhanded work, like we had before. Understand?"

Ham paid no attention to the last words. He and his crony werelooking at Tommy. Now they whispered together. 

"Say, aren't you the kid that ran away from the circus?" demandedHam, turning to the small youth. 

At the question Tommy looked surprised and then scared. 

"Wha---what do you know about me?" he stammered. 

"Answer me, " ordered Ham. "You ran away from Casso's RailroadShows, didn't you?"

"Don't tell him a thing, Tommy!" cried Snap quickly. "It is noneof his business. "

"Ha! I knew I was right!" cried Ham triumphantly. "You're the boythey called Buzz, the Human Fly. I saw you perform at Chester, and I heard later about your running away. And you helped to leta lion and a chimpanzee escape, too. "

"I did not!" cried Tommy. "The men who were discharged let thoseanimals get away. I had nothing whatever to do with it. "

"Oh, yes, that's your story; but the circus people tell itdifferently, " put in Carl Dudder. "I was talking to one of themonly the other day. They'd give a good deal to catch you andthose men. "

As he spoke he advanced toward Tommy as if to catch hold of the lad. The boy from the circus shrank back and looked very much alarmed. 

"Here, Carl Dudder, you leave that boy alone!" cried the doctor'sson. "Don't you dare to touch him!"

"I'll do as I please. The boy doesn't belong to you, " blusteredCarl. 

"I know that---but you are not going to lay the weight of yourfinger on him. "

"Don't do it, " whispered Ham to his crony in alarm. "Remember, theyare five to two. "

"I think there is a reward for this boy, " answered Carl in an equallylow tone of voice. 

"Well, if there is, keep mum and we may be able to get it. "

There was an awkward pause. Tommy looked appealingly at the doctor'sson and his other friends. 

"Don't you worry; they shan't touch you, " said Shep kindly. "Theyare big bullies, that's all. We know them thoroughly. "

"Are you going to stay here?" asked Ham. 

"That is our business, " answered Snap. "Where have you located?"

"That is our business. "

"So it is; but I want you to understand, once for all, Ham Spink, that this time you must keep your distance. If you try to molestus in any way you'll get the worst of it. "

"How long are you going to stay?"

"That is our business, too. "

"Come on, Ham, " said Carl in a low voice. "What is the use oftalking to them at all? Let us get back to our own camp, and letthem take care of themselves. "

"All right, if you say so, " answered Ham Spink, and turning on hisheel he walked back the way he had come, with his crony beside him. 

"Now, what brought those chaps here?" demanded Snap as soon astheir enemies were out of hearing. "No good, I'll wager that. "

"Oh, I guess they just wanted to come and say something, " saidGiant. "Let us have supper. I'm too hungry to wait any longer. "

Supper was had, and the boy hunters and Tommy sat around the campfire for two hours, discussing the situation and planning what theywould do for the days to come. It was decided to pay a visit tothe lake for the remainder of the supplies two days later---afterthey had hunted and taken pictures and rested up a little. 

The two days passed quickly. The boy hunters saw and heard nothingof the Spink crowd and almost forgot about them. They went out forgame, and managed to bring down some rabbits, squirrels and somefine quail, and also a pinemarten. They took over a dozen picturesof the game and also of the scenery, and Shep managed to get a finephotograph of an old owl as he sat on a tree limb. The boys madeno effort to shoot the owl, for he really seemed friendly and didnot offer to fly away. 

It was decided that Tommy and Whopper should remain at the campwhile the other three made the trip to Firefly Lake. 

"Take good care of things while we are gone, " cautioned the doctor'sson. "Don't let the Spink crowd get the best of you. "

"We'll watch out, " answered Whopper. "If they try any funnybusiness we'll shoot them into the middle of next year!"

"Oh, don't shoot anybody!" cried Snap. 

"Well, you know what I mean, " answered the youth who loved toexaggerate. 

Shep and the others had expected to start off directly after breakfast, but Snap had to fix one of his shoes, and this delayed them. But byten o'clock they were on the way, the others waving them a fondfarewell. 

"We'll look for you by to-morrow night, " said Tommy. 

It was an easy matter to climb down the mountain side, but the walkup the hill that separated them from the lake was another story. Yet, as they had only their guns to carry, they made good progress, and by the middle of the afternoon they were in plain sight of thebody of water where they had left the boat. 

"Somebody ahead of us!" cried Snap presently, and pointed out threepersons walking toward the lake. 

"I wonder if they can be members of the Spink crowd?" was Shep'scomment. "Let us get closer and see"

CHAPTER XVII

WHAT HAPPENED UNDER THE CLIFF

It was presently made evident to our friends that the persons aheadwere Ham Spink, Carl Dudder and a lad named Dick Bush, who had informer years been a close personal friend to Ham. 

"Wonder where they are going?" asked Snap. 

"Down to the lake, " answered the doctor's son. "Most likely towhere they left their boat. "

"Let us keep behind them and out of sight, " suggested Giant. "Ifthey see us they may follow us up and damage our boat after we aregone. "

So, although they kept the Spink crowd well in sight, they tookgood care not to show themselves. 

Reaching the lake shore, Ham Spink and his friends came to a haltbehind a clump of willows overhanging the water. Close by theothers saw a rowboat tied up. 

"That must be their boat, " whispered Snap. "Most likely they camefor the same purpose that we did---to get supplies. "

"Listen!" whispered the doctor's son. "I just heard somebodymention my name. "

"Their boat must be somewhere along here, " they heard Ham Spinkexclaim. "And if it is---We'll fix it, all right, " finishedCarl Dudder. "Well, that's all right, " expostulated Dick Bush. 

"But we don't want to do anything unlawful. They might have usarrested. "

"They won't know who did it, " answered Ham. 

"What do you think of doing if you locate their boat?" asked Dick. 

"We'll take out the supplies and hide 'em, and then fill the boatwith rocks and sink her, " answered Ham. 

"That will be doing 'em up brown!" chuckled Carl. 

"Well, I don't know about this, " answered Dick Bush doubtfully. He was not quite so lawless in his ideas as were the others. 

"Oh, it will be all right; we won't hurt the boat any, " answeredHam. "Come on; the quicker we locate the boat the better. Assoon as we've fixed their boat we can come back here and get ourthings and hurry back to camp. " And then the three boys movedalong down the lake shore. 

"Well, wouldn't that jar you?" cried Snap, when the other crowd wasgone. "Hide our supplies and sink our boat! Well, I guess not!"

"They haven't turned in the right direction to find our boat, "returned the doctor's son. "We can get it out of the way beforethey come back. "

"We ought to pay them for this, " murmured Giant. "Let us take theirboat and row it up the lake. It will give 'em something to do tofind it. "

"That's the talk!" cried Snap. "As the old saying goes, 'whatis sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. ' Jump in and we'lltake the boat to where we left our own. "

They soon had the Spink rowboat untied, and leaping aboard theyshoved the craft out into the lake. Then Snap and Shep took theoars, and they were soon moving up Firefly Lake. They kept closeto the overhanging trees and bushes, so that the other crowd mightnot discover what was taking place. 

The distance to where they had left their own craft was not quitehalf a mile, and they reached the spot in less than a quarter ofan hour. They pulled inshore, to find their boat just as it hadbeen left. 

"Now, the quicker we work the better, " said the doctor's son. "I'vegot an idea, " he went on, as he caught sight of a tiny islandabout a hundred feet from shore. "Why not tie their boat fastover there? Then if they want it they can swim for it. "

"Good!" cried Snap, and grinned. 

Taking their own boat along, they rowed to the island, and therethe Spink craft was made fast on the side next to the main shoreand in plain view of anybody who might be passing. On the shoreof the island Snap stuck up one of the oars and on the top placeda rubber boot he found in the rowboat---one of a pair Ham hadbrought along in case of prolonged wet weather. 

"Ham will recognize that rubber boot, " said Snap. "And then he'llknow the boat is his. " The sight of the rubber boot on the top ofthe oar was a comical one and the boys had to laugh as they lookedat it. 

Having fastened the boat so that it could not possibly drift away, the boys boarded their own craft and rowed still farther up FireflyLake, until they came to a cove and a creek, the latter thicklyoverhung with bushes. They pulled the craft out of sight, so thatto find it without knowing where it was located would bepractically impossible. 

"Now, then, to take our things and go into camp for the night, "said the doctor's son. "We'll have to find some shelter under therocks, not having a tent. "

The boys knew the locality fairly well, from their previous visits, and walked to where there was a split in the hills. Here waslocated a rocky cliff, hollowed out somewhat at the bottom. 

"We can camp here, " said Shep. "With a camp fire in front the hollowwill be quite comfortable. "

While in the cove they had managed to catch a few perch and apickerel, and starting a blaze, they cooked these. They had somecrackers and cheese along, so made a comfortable if not an elaboratemeal, washing it down with a drink from a spring. 

"We ought to get to bed early, " said Snap. "Then we can startback for camp at sunrise, and so get ahead of the Spink crowd. "

"Oh, they won't go back until they find their boat, " said Giant. 

"I don't know about that, " said the doctor's son. "They may getmad and lay it to us and start back to-night. You can never tellwhat Ham Spink and Carl Dudder will do. Dick Bush isn't quiteso bad. "

As it was warm, they allowed the fire to die down, and by nineo'clock all were sleeping soundly. They did not think it necessaryto stand guard, for the hollow was well screened from outsideobservation, and they had all their traps behind them, next tothe cliff. 

How long he had been asleep the doctor's son did not know, buthe awoke with a start, feeling something pressing on his breast. He gave a yell of fright and alarm and added another yell ashe felt his leg pulled. Then a dark body fled from the hollowand went crashing through the bushes beyond. 

"Wha---what's the matter?" came in a stammering voice from Giant. 

"Who was that?" demanded Snap as, in the darkness, he felt forhis gun. The fire was practically out, and the hollow was intenselygloomy. 

"I don't know; Ham Spink, maybe, " answered the doctor's son, muchbewildered. "He stood on me and pulled my foot, " he added. 

The boy hunters leaped up, and after some trouble armed themselves. It was dark around the cliff, so they could see nothing. Theylistened intently and at a distance heard a peculiar noise and therustling of some brushwood. 

"Shall I give 'em a shot?" suggested Snap. 

"No; you might kill somebody, " answered Shep. He raised his voice:"Hi, Ham Spink! Come back here! We know you!"

To this call no answer was vouchsafed. Again the boys listened, butnow the only sound that broke the stillness was the low wind in thetree branches overhead. 

"He has gone, whoever he was, " said Snap. "Shep, are you sureit was Ham?"

"Not at all. I only thought it might be. For all I know it mighthave been a wild animal. "

"What! to pull your leg?" queried Giant. 

"Well, maybe he didn't really pull the leg. You see, I was prettysound asleep. But he, or it, jumped over me and back again. "

"Let's make a light and see if the outfit is O. K. , " suggested Snap. They had a small pocket lantern along, and this was lit and anexamination was made. 

"See, the sugar bag is bursted open!" cried the doctor's son. 

"The beans are scattered everywhere!" came from Giant. 

"And the cracker box is open and some of the crackers are missing, "added Snap. "That must have been the work of some enemy. Hewanted to destroy our stores. "

"But I---I really don't think it was Ham, " said Shep slowly. "Itwas---well, it didn't seem like anybody of that crowd. I didn'tget much of a look, but it wasn't like Ham, or Carl, or Dick. "

"A wild animal might do this, rooting around, " said Snap. "Couldit have been a bear?"

"A bear!" ejaculated Giant. "Don't say a bear rooted around herewhile we were asleep! Why, it's enough to give a fellow heartfailure thinking about it!"

"Wonder what time it is?" said the doctor's son, and felt for hiswatch. "Why, I declare, my watch is gone!" he exclaimed inconsternation. 

Just then Snap saw something on the ground and picked it up. It wasa shred of a red bandanna handkerchief. 

"Boys, do you know what I think?" he said excitedly. "I think ourvisitor was that wild hermit who lived in the lonely cabin in thewoods!"

"You mean the one Whopper and I met?" asked Shep. 

"Yes. "

CHAPTER XVIII

A FIGHT WITH TWO WILDCATS

The doctor's son and Giant listened with interest to what their chumhad to say. 

"What makes you think it was the hermit?" asked Shep. 

"Because of this bit of red handkerchief. Whopper said he saw sucha bandanna around the wild man's neck or head. "

"Gracious! so we did!" cried the doctor's son. "I had forgottenabout it. But do you think that wild creature took my watch?" headded anxiously. 

"Yes, unless you lost it on the way here. "

"I didn't lose it before I went to sleep, for I wound it up, sameas I do every night before retiring. "

"Let us take a look around for it, " suggested Giant. 

A keen search was made, but nothing that looked like a watch couldbe located anywhere. Then, as they were a bit cold, the boysrenewed the fire, thus adding to the light. 

"If that wild man, or whatever he is, took my watch I want it back, "declared the doctor's son. 

"Do you think he'd take it to that cabin in the woods with him?"questioned Giant. 

"More than likely. "

"That must be a good way from here. "

"It is. But you would want the watch if it was yours. "

"Of course. "

The boys talked the matter over for a quarter of an hour and thenlaid down to sleep once more, leaving the camp fire burning brightly. But the doctor's son could not slumber soundly, for his thoughtswere on his missing timepiece, which had been a present and avaluable one. 

They were up at sunrise, and then another consultation was had. 

"I'd like to look for the watch, " said Snap. "But if we don'tget back to camp Whopper and Tommy will worry about us---and thereis no telling what the Spink crowd will do in our absence. "

"I suppose if that hermit has it the watch will be safe for a dayor two, " answered the doctor's son thoughtfully. "We might goback to the camp first and then make a trip to the cabin in thewoods. "

So it was decided, and after a hasty breakfast they set off in thedirection of the Windy Mountains. They took the same trail asbefore, and on the walk kept their eyes open for game. Theymanaged to bring down two grouse and a squirrel, but that wasall. They reached camp an hour after sundown, much to thesatisfaction of Whopper and Tommy, who came to meet them. 

"Gosh! but I am tired!" said Snap as he threw his burden on theground. "I feel as if I wanted to rest for a week!"

"A good night's sleep will make you change your mind, " answeredthe doctor's son. 

Supper was ready for them, and they sat down gladly and partookof the things provided. During the day, to pass the time, Whopperand Tommy had baked a big pan of beans and another of biscuits, and both were good. They had also tried their hand at bakingsome cake, but this was a little burned. Yet the boys ate it anddeclared it was all right. At home it might have been different, but when one is out in the woods, and doing one's own cooking---well, there is no use in finding fault, that's all. 

Whopper and Tommy listened with interest to what the others had totell about the Spink crowd and about the midnight visitor. Theylaughed heartily over what had been done to the rowboat, and wereserious over the loss of Shep's watch. 

"I'd be afraid to meet that wild man, " said Tommy. "Why, there isno telling what he would do if he was cornered. "

"That is true, " answered Shep. "Of course we can take our guns, but I'd hate to shoot anybody, even if it seemed necessary. "

"Maybe he'll give in if we point our guns at him, " suggested Whopper. "But I hardly think so. He may be as crazy as they make 'em andafraid of nothing. "

"Well, I'll think it over, " answered the doctor's son thoughtfully. He did not wish to expose his chums to danger, nor did he wish toget into trouble himself. Yet he felt the loss of the timepiecekeenly. 

The young hunters looked for a visit from the Spink crowd the nextday, but it did not come. Instead, it rained, and they had to keepin the tent most of the time. But it cleared during the night, andthe days to follow were ideal. 

Sunday passed, and on Monday Shep, Snap and Whopper went out ona hunt, leaving Giant and Tommy in charge of the camp. Giantdeclared he was going to take and develop some photographs, usinga daylight tank instead of a dark room for the latter process. It had been decided that some of the party should visit the lonelycabin in the woods later in the week. 

The boys had seen some traces of wild beasts up the mountain side, and thither they directed their steps, keeping their eyes and earson the alert as they proceeded. They had scarcely covered a quarterof a mile when they came upon the mutilated remains of a mink. 

"Hello! what do you make of this?" cried Snap as he pointed it out. 

"A mink, and some other wild beast killed it, " said Whopper. 

"Do you suppose it was a bear?" asked Snap. 

"No; most likely a wildcat, or a big fox or wolf. "

"Let's go after 'em!"

"They are no good for game---and that is what we are after. "

"We might get some good photographs. "

"That's so---I never thought of that!"

Filled with the idea of taking some pictures that might prove ofvalue, the boys hurried on through the woods and up the side of themountain. Shep cautioned the others to move as silently as possible, so hardly a word was said. 

It was almost noon when they came to a flat spot, where there wassomething of a clearing. Here there was a spring and a pool, and afallen tree lay across both. 

"Wait!" whispered the doctor's son. "I think I see something!"

The others halted, and Shep advanced with increased caution, bringinghis camera to the front as he did so. 

The next instant he saw a sight that filled him with interest andpleasure. On the fallen tree spanning the pool rested two wildcats, mates, facing each other. Both had their eyes closed and wereevidently asleep. 

He motioned for the others to come up, and in a few seconds allwere ready to take pictures. The background was perfect, andthey felt this would be one of the finest subjects yet obtained. 

Hardly daring to breathe, one after another of the boys clickedthe shutter of his camera and the negatives were taken. Thenthey swung their cameras back and brought forward their shotguns. 

As they did this one of the wildcats suddenly opened its eyesand looked around. On the instant it let out a cry of rage andits back commenced to bristle. Then the other wildcat leapedfrom the tree to the ground and crouched as if for a spring. 

"Fire!" came the command from the doctor's son, but this was notnecessary, for both Snap and Whopper blazed away as quickly asthey could. The wildcat on the tree was hit and fell over intothe pool with a loud splash. The other wildcat made a leap forSnap and hit him in the shoulder. 

"Shoot him! shoot him!" yelled Snap in terror, and did what hecould to keep the beast from reaching his breast and throat. 

"Can't shoot---might hit you!" answered the doctor's son, butthen he came up on the side and blazed away at close quarters, hitting the wildcat in the left hind leg. This caused the animalto drop to the ground, where it twisted and turned so quicklythat the eyes of the young hunters could scarcely follow it. 

The other wildcat had by this time climbed out of the pool. Itgave itself a vigorous shake and turned as if to limp away. Butthen it espied its mate and stopped, as if calculating on whatto do next. 

"Shoot 'em!" sang out Whopper, and discharged his gun a secondtime. He hit the second wildcat in the back, but the wounds werenot serious and the beast still thrashed around, snapping andsnarling in a fashion that would have frightened any hunter. 

The shot from the gun awakened the fury of the first wildcat, andcrouching low it came toward Whopper step by step, its two eyesglowing like tiny electric lights. Whopper tried to run, but hewas fascinated by the sight and too much overcome to move a step. 

"Look out, Whopper!" screamed Snap, and then he raised his own gunto take another shot. But the hammer merely clicked. He tried itagain, in increased haste, and as a consequence shot wild, thecharge going over the wildcat's head. 

Then the wildcat made a leap, striking Whopper and hurling himover backward. As he went down the second wildcat lurched itselfforward, and in a twinkling both were on the young hunter, snappingand snarling as though about to eat him up!

CHAPTER XIX

SOME UNLOOKED-FOR GAME

It was a moment of dire peril and no one realized it more than didthe young hunter who had been attacked by the two wild beasts ofthe forest. Like a flash he rolled over and doubled up to preventthe wildcats from reaching his head and neck. 

This quick movement sent the animals to the ground, and as theylanded Snap jumped forward and struck one of the wildcats withthe stock of his gun. It was a telling blow, for by luck morethan judgment it crushed the beast's skull. 

The attack on its mate caused the other wildcat to pause. Then, filled with a sudden fear, and failing to get at Whopper's throat, it commenced to retreat. 

"It's running away!" shouted Snap. "Kill it, Shep!"

The doctor's son had been dancing around, trying to get in a shotwithout injuring Whopper. 

Now he leveled his shotgun and banged away. It was a close-rangehit, and the head of the wildcat was almost blown from the body. 

It was several seconds before the three boy hunters realized thatthe battle was at an end. Slowly Whopper turned over and looked atthe two dead animals. He rose to his feet, panting heavily. 

"Are they bo---both dead?" he asked. 

"As dead as nails, " answered Snap. 

"I thought I was---was going to be---be chewed up!"

"It was a narrow escape. "

"Say, after this, do you know what I think? I think we had betterkill the beasts first and take the pictures afterward!"

"Then we'll not have such good photos, " returned the doctor's son. 

"Yes; but what good are photos to a fellow if he gets killed?"questioned Whopper ruefully. 

"We'll have to be more careful, that's all, " said Snap. 

"What shall we do with the wildcats?"

"Leave them here, for all I care, " answered the doctor's son. "The skins are not much good at this time of year and after suchhandling. "

The three boys rested for a while, and then took a picture of thedead wildcats with themselves in the background. So that all mightget in the pictures they set their cameras on rocks and worked themby means of threads of black linen. 

"I am afraid our shots have scared away all the game in this vicinity, "remarked the doctor's son as they, trudged forward once more. Andso it seemed, for nothing came into view for the next hour. ThenSnap sighted some rabbits, but before he could get a shot the gamewas out of sight. 

At noon they rested in a glade that commanded a fine view of thesurrounding country and each of the boys took several time pictureswith small lens openings, so as to get sharp outlines. 

It was well on toward the middle of the afternoon when they cameupon the trail of a deer. It looked to be quite fresh, and thisfilled them with the hope of catching up to the game. 

"We want to be mighty quiet, " cautioned Snap, who was in the lead. "The wind is uncertain and may carry the slightest sound to the deer. "

"It will carry our scent, too, " answered Whopper. 

"That we can't help and will have to chance. "

They followed the trail for fully half a mile, through something ofa hollow between the mountains. Here they came on quite a pond, much to their surprise. The pond was filled with lilies and otherflowers, and on one side was a series of rocks leading to quitea cliff. 

"What a beautiful spot for a cabin!" cried Shep, forgetting allabout the deer, for a moment. 

"Why not take some pictures?" suggested Snap. "We may not comethis way again. "

The doctor's son was willing, and they took several views, one ofWhopper with his hand full of water lilies. 

The trail of the deer led around the rocky elevation, and the threeyoung hunters were moving through some low brushwood when of asudden they heard a noise ahead of them. 

"What's that?" asked Whopper. 

"Bless me if I know, " whispered the doctor's son. "Get your gunsready. "

"Here comes a deer!" shouted Snap, and an instant later a magnificentbuck burst into view, rushing around the other end of the cliff. It appeared and disappeared so quickly that to get a shot was allbut impossible. 

"Well, of all the chumps!" cried Snap in disgust. "Why didn'tsomebody let drive?"

"Why didn't you?" asked Shep. 

"I couldn't---the rocks were in the way. "

"Well, the rocks were in my way, too. "

"How can a fellow shoot at a streak of greased lightning?" askedWhopper. "That buck was making a hundred miles a minute!"

"Well, that's the end of that game, " muttered Snap, much crestfallen. "Boys, it looks as if we were going to be skunked to-day. "

"Oh, we've got a couple of hours yet, " said the doctor's son. "ButI guess we had better turn back toward camp. We don't want to missour way in the dark. "

"Let us go on a little, " said Whopper. "I imagine that buck gotscared at something, and I'd like to know what it was. "

"Maybe a bear, " said Snap. "And if it is, you can be sure Mr. Bruin will walk right away from us while we are thinking abouta shot, " he added bitterly. He was disgusted to think they hadallowed both the rabbits and the deer to get away from them. 

All of the boys were curious to know if anything had really frightenedthe buck, and they went forward, but this time more cautiouslythan ever. Passing the cliff, they came to a hillside, overgrownwith cedars and brushwood, with many loose stones between. Herethey had to progress even more slowly, for walking was treacherousand none of them had a desire to twist an ankle or break a leg. 

"I don't see a thing, " said the doctor's son presently. "It'sa mighty lonely place, isn't it?"

"I fancied I saw something move, just beyond yonder clump of cedars, "said Whopper, pointing with his hand. 

"Whopper is seeing things, " said Snap, laughing. "I guess thewildcats and the deer got on his nerves. "

"Well, don't believe me if you don't want to, " answered Whopperrather testily. 

"We'll see if there is anything in it, anyway, " answered the doctor'sson. "But I am not going any farther than those cedars. I amgetting tired---and it is high time we turned back, unless we wantto remain away from camp all night. "

"No, I want to get back, too, " answered Snap. "Sleeping out ofdoors is all well enough once in a while, but I prefer to be undersome kind of a roof, even if it's only canvas. "

The three boys moved forward once again, each with his gun readyfor use, should anything worth shooting appear. They came upto the cedars and were then able to look beyond, where the mountainside was full of rocks, with numerous holes between. 

"Oh!" yelled Snap at the top of his lungs. "Look!"

All gazed in the direction indicated, and for once they were fairlyrooted to the spot. Before them, on a flat rock, stood a large andmagnificent lion, gazing boldly at them. 

CHAPTER XX

ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE

For fully ten seconds the lion did not move, and during that timethe young hunters stood spellbound. Then the foreign monarch ofthe forest turned and like a flash disappeared into a hole on themountain side. 

"Did---did---was it really a lion?" gasped Whopper when he couldspeak. 

"It certainly was---and a big one, too, " answered the doctor'sson. 

"But here?" began Snap. "We don't have lions in America. "

"It must be the one that got away from the circus!" cried Shep. 

"To be sure! Why didn't I think of that?" came from Whopper. "Sureas you're a foot high that is the circus lion. But how did he getaway out here?"

"That's easy to explain, " answered the doctor's son. "He left townand took to the woods, and his quest for food brought him here. "

"And it was the lion that scared the buck, " said Snap. 

"More than likely. And he scared us, too. Why didn't you shootat him?"

"Why didn't you?"

"I guess we were all about paralyzed; I know I was, " declared Whopper. "I didn't come out to hunt lions! Ugh! Maybe we had better getaway from here. You can't kill a lion with a shotgun---you needa rifle, and a heavy one at that. "

"Three heavy charges of buckshot would discourage any lion, I think, "answered Shep. "At the same time, we don't want to run the risk ofbeing torn to pieces by such a beast. "

"Boys, I've got an idea!" cried Snap suddenly. "Maybe it won't workout, but we might try it. "

"To kill the lion?"

"No, to capture him alive, and turn him over to the circus folks forthat reward. "

"What is the idea?"

"Let us dig a big pit here among the rocks and bait it with the twodead wildcats. We can drag the wildcats on the ground around hereand to the pit, and maybe the lion will follow the trail up and fallinto the pit. "

"He'll be very obliging if he does that, " said Whopper with a laugh. "I guess lions are as cautious as any wild beasts. "

"He'll follow the trail if he gets hungry enough, " said the doctor'sson. "I think the idea is a good one, and I vote we follow it outat once. 

"But to dig a pit will be lots of work, " said Whopper. "Can't wefind some ready-made hole that will do?"

Retreating still farther, and keeping their eyes and ears wide openfor the possible reappearance of the monarch of the forest, thethree young hunters at length found a hole that suited them. Thebottom was filled with loose stones and decayed leaves, but thesethey soon cleaned out. Then, while Whopper went off for the deadwildcats, Snap and Shep made the hole still deeper. They removedthe stones until they came to something of a small cave, and hadto take care, for fear of tumbling in. 

"I think that will hold the lion, if he deigns to come this way, "said the doctor's son. 

Over the top of the opening they placed some light brushwood, that would easily sink with the weight of any big beast, and inthe center placed one of the dead wildcats. The other they draggedin a circle around the hole, and then let it fall to the bottom. 

"That will give the beast something to eat, in case he is captured, "said the doctor's son. "We don't want him to starve on our hands. "

"I've got another idea, " said Snap. "Why not fix one of the camerasso it will go off and take a picture, in case the lion touches acertain string? Mr. Jally told me how it could be done. "

"A good idea!" cried Shep. "We'll do it right away. Only we don'twant any flashlight, for that would scare the lion away. "

"No; we'll have to run the risk of having the camera worked in thedaylight. "

It was dark by the time their task was accomplished. They knew thatthey could not get back to camp, yet none of them had any desire toremain in the vicinity of the lion. 

"He might take it into his head to eat us up instead of the wildcats, "said Whopper earnestly. 

"Right you are, " responded Shep. "We'll get as far away as we can. "

They tramped for at least two miles, and during that time passed amountain brook that was strange to them. They tried to get some fish, but were unsuccessful. 

"We are skunked, and no mistake, " said Snap dolefully. "Not evenone fish or a rabbit for supper!"

"I am going to beat around the trees for something, " said the doctor'sson. "Shoot at anything that flies. "

He walked ahead, and the others kept their guns in readiness. But allhe stirred up were a few small birds not worth laying low. 

"Lucky we saved a little of the grub, " said Whopper. "If we hadn'twe'd go to bed supperless. "

"I am going to roost in a tree to-night, to keep out of the reachof that lion, " said Snap. 

All agreed that this would be a good thing to do, and after dividingwhat remained of the food brought along, and getting a drink at aspring, they selected a tree that suited their purpose and mountedto the thickest of the limbs. 

"Not a very comfortable bed, " was Shep's comment. "But better thanfalling into that lion's clutches. "

"Shall we go back to the pit in the morning?" asked Whopper. 

"No; let us go to camp first, and see how Giant and Tommy aremaking out, " said the doctor's son. "Most likely they'll be worryingabout us. "

To keep from falling, the three young hunters tied themselves fastin the tree. They tried to sleep, but this was almost impossible, and the most each got were fitful naps, with many dreams of the lion. All thoughts of other game were, for the time being, banished fromtheir minds. 

At daybreak they descended to the ground and started for campwithout waiting to shoot something for breakfast. They calculatedthey could get back before noon, and then they would eat a bigdinner at their leisure. 

All thought they had the "lay of the land" well fixed in theirminds, and so they did not advance with the caution they mightotherwise have taken. As a consequence, they presently made afalse turn, and this brought them to a part of the mountains thatwas exceedingly rocky and rough. 

"Say, we can't get through here, " declared Whopper at last. "Why, it's worse than the Rocky Road to Dublin!"

"I believe we are off the right trail, " returned Snap. "It seemsto me our camp must be in that direction, " and he pointed to theirleft. 

"Perhaps you are right, " said the doctor's son. "Anyway, we can'tget through here. We'll ruin our shoes and run the risk of breakingour necks. "

"Let us walk to the left, " said Snap, and they turned back a shortdistance. As they did this, they started up a number of rabbitsand, eager for some game, each blazed away, and as a consequence twoof the creatures were brought low. 

"Not much, but something, " said the doctor's son. 

They pressed on, soon coming to some rocks that were quite smooth. 

"Be careful here, " cautioned Snap. "A tumble would be a nasty thing. There is a cliff just below us. "

He and the doctor's son went ahead and Whopper followed. The rockswere even more slippery than they had anticipated. The doctor'sson was about to advise going back and walking around the cliff, when Whopper called out:

"A deer! I see a deer!"

"Where?" asked the others in a breath. 

"Over yonder! I am going to give him a shot!"

In great excitement Whopper stood upright on the smooth rocks, raisedhis shotgun and pulled the trigger. But the deer was not hit, anda moment later disappeared from view. 

The report of the shotgun was followed by a yell from Whopper. Theweapon, had kicked back and sent him sprawling. Now he was rollingover and over on the smooth rocks, directly toward the dangerouscliff below him. 

CHAPTER XXI

ADRIFT IN THE WOODS

"Stop Whopper, or he'll go over the cliff!"

It was the doctor's son who uttered the words. He was high up onthe rocks and could do nothing to save his chum. 

Snap heard and understood, for he saw Whopper rolling rapidlytoward the cliff. If the youth went over, a sheer drop of twentyor thirty feet awaited him---with more rocks below. 

In this moment of peril, for Snap to think was to Whopper was verydear to him, and he resolved to do all he could to save his chum, even at the risk of his own life. 

He let his gun drop and ran over the rocks to where Whopper wasrolling over and over. Then he caught him by the foot and threwhimself flat, clutching tenaciously at a single stone that arosesharply above those around it. Snap's grip was good, and for themoment Whopper's progress was stayed. 

"Don't move!" called out Snap as soon as he could catch his breath. "Press down on the rocks for all you are worth!"

Whopper understood and pressed down, and thus both boys lay quietfor several seconds. Whopper was but three feet from the edge ofthe cliff and Snap was just above him. The doctor's son was to theright, in a spot that was a comparatively safe one. 

"The---the gun kicked!" gasped Whopper when he could speak. 

"Yes, I know, " answered Snap. "But be careful, or you'll go overthe cliff yet!"

Whopper screwed his head around and gazed in the direction of theyawning gulf below him, and his face changed color. 

"Gosh! We'll have to get out of this, " he murmured. 

"Crawl toward Shep; but take it slowly and be careful, " directedSnap. "Shall I help you?"

"No, I can do it alone, " was the answer. 

Both boys crawled like snails over the smooth rocks until theygained the spot where the doctor's son rested. Whopper drew along breath of relief. 

"I'm glad I didn't take that tumble, " he whispered hoarsely. Hecould hardly speak, and his limbs trembled slightly. 

"It was a good thing Snap stopped you, " said Shep. 

"That's what---and I am mighty thankful, Snap, " replied Whoppergratefully. 

"Well, we'll have to go back, that is all there is to it, " remarkedthe doctor's son after a pause, during which they looked acrossthe rocks in perplexity. "I thought sure we could go this way, but it seems as if we can't. "

To climb down the rocks was as great a task as it had been to climbup, and by the time they reached the bottom all were thoroughlyhungry. It now lacked but an hour and a half of noon. 

"We'll never get to camp by dinner-time, " declared Snap. "And I'mnot going to do without breakfast and dinner, too. I move we lighta fire and cook those rabbits. I've got a little coffee left, enough for three weak cups, I guess. "

The others agreed, and reaching a comfortable spot, they cut alittle wood and made a fire. Then they sat down to rest while theskinned and cleaned rabbits were broiling. Snap made the coffeeand, though rather weak and without milk and sugar, they drank iteagerly. They had a little salt for the rabbits, but that was all. But hunger and fresh air are great appetizers. 

The scant meal at an end, they resumed their journey, the doctor'sson taking the lead. They moved in a semicircle around the baseof one small mountain and then reached a rather broad mountaintorrent. 

"Hello, here's a surprise!" cried Snap. "I had no idea such a bigbrook flowed through these parts. "

"Nor I, " added Shep. "Looks as if there might be good fishing here. "

The boys noted the location of the brook, so that they might visitit another day, and then pushed on as before. They reached a slightrise and all concluded that their camp was directly to the west. 

"In that case all we'll have to do is to follow the sun, " declaredWhopper. 

"Right you are, " responded the doctor's son. 

"How far do you calculate it is?"

"Not more than two miles. "

"It may be a little more, " said Snap. "But not much. "

They plunged into the woods once more, and had hardly proceeded ahundred yards when they heard some partridges drumming. It was achance for another shot, and they hurried forward with guns readyfor use. 

"I see them!" cried Snap, and blazed away, and the others followedsuit. They were unusually lucky, for five of the birds fell, eitherdead or fatally wounded. Soon they had the game in their bags. 

"There! that is something like!" cried Snap. "They'll make fineeating. " And he smacked his lips. He loved partridge meat verymuch. 

They seemed to be getting deeper and deeper into the woods. Thetrees around them were so dense that it was almost impossible to seethe direction of the sun. Several times they came to a halt tolook around. 

"What do you make of it?" asked Snap. 

"I don't like it, " answered the doctor's son emphatically. "Firstthing we know we'll be lost. "

"Just what I was thinking. "

"We were to follow the sun, " came from Whopper. 

"Can you see it?"

"Once in a while, and not very clearly at that. "

"Tell you what we might do, " suggested Shep. "Climb a big tree andtake a look around. "

This was considered a wise suggestion, and they started to carry itout. A tree was selected, and the others gave Snap a boost to thelower branches. Then up went the youth to the top, slowly but surely. 

"Well, what do you see?" demanded the doctor's son, after havinggiven his chum a chance to look around. 

"Nothing. "

"Nothing?" echoed Whopper blankly. 

"Nothing but woods and mountains, and a brook or two. I don't see athing that looks like a camp anywhere. "

"Oh, it must be ahead of us, " insisted the doctor's son. 

"All right---you come up and locate it, " grumbled Snap. 

Shep came up and so did Whopper, and all three of the lads gazedlongingly, first in one direction and then in another. Nothing butwhat Snap had mentioned greeted their eyes. 

"Boys, we are lost!" cried Whopper. 

"Oh, no, we're not lost---we are here, " answered Snap. "The campis lost. "

"It's the same thing---so far as we are concerned. "

"I think that is Firefly Lake, " said Shep, pointing to a hazy spotin the distance. "And if it is, then our camp may lay around onthe upper side of this mountain. "

"That may be true. "

"Shall we try to walk it?"

"Might as well, Shep. We don't want to stay here all night. "

"And we don't want to walk two or three miles out of our way, " putin Whopper. "I'm getting mighty tired---not having had a good restlast night. "

"We are having one adventure on top of the other, " said the doctor'sson with a grim smile. "Well, is it go forward or stay here?"

Nobody wanted to stand still, and so they descended to the groundand moved off in the new direction settled upon. All were faggedout, so progress was slow. They encountered some squirrels andSnap brought down two and stowed them away with his partridge. 

"There's a cat!" cried Shep suddenly, and ran forward. Then ofa sudden he stopped and smiled, while Whopper and Snap roared. 

"Better give that cat a wide berth, " suggested Snap, "unless youwant to put a whole perfumery shop to shame. " And they did givethe animal a wide berth, for it was a skunk, and one "ready forbusiness, " as Snap afterward expressed it. 

By nightfall they were still deep in the woods. All were nowexhausted, and coming to a fallen tree Snap dropped to rest andso did his chums. 

"Boys, we have missed it, " said the doctor's son seriously. "Imust confess I haven't the least idea where our camp is!"

"And that means we'll have to stay out in these woods all night, "returned Whopper. 

"More than likely. "

CHAPTER XXII

THE SPINK CROWD AGAIN

The prospect was not a pleasant one for the three boy hunters. Itwas not that they were afraid over the fact that they were lost inthe woods on the mountain side. But they knew that Giant and Tommywould be greatly worried over their absence, and it was possible, yes, probable, that the two lads might have trouble with Ham Spinkand his cronies. 

"Ham will be as mad as a hornet if he had much trouble findinghis boat, " said Snap, in talking the situation over. "And thefirst thing he'll think of will be to get square. "

"Well, if we can't get back we can't get back, and that is allthere is to it, " answered the doctor's son philosophically. "We'vegot to make the best of it. "

"And then that lion-----" added Whopper. But to this the othersmerely shrugged their shoulders. 

They found a spot that seemed as good as any, and collecting somedry sticks built a camp fire and made themselves a supper. Theywere footsore and weary and glad to rest. Inside of an hour aftereating all of the lads fell asleep, and each slept soundly untilmorning. 

Snap was the first to awaken, and, letting the others rest, hereplenished the camp fire and got breakfast ready. There was asameness about their food that was not very appetizing, but thiscould not be helped. 

"When I get back I'm going to live a whole day on pancakes and beansand bacon, " said Whopper. "No more rabbits for me, or partridge, either. "

"That's the one drawback to camping out, " returned the doctor's son. "One does get awfully tired of eating game. "

It was again a question of how to proceed, and once more theymounted a tree to take observations. They now saw two columnsof smoke arising on the air, not a great distance off. 

"Our camp fire and that of the Spink crowd!" exclaimed Snap. "I'llwager a button on it. "

"I believe you are right, " answered Shep. "We'll make for thenearest of 'em, anyway. "

They set off at a brisk pace, taking as direct a route as the natureof the ground permitted. On the way they came to a large patch ofhuckleberry bushes and found the berries ripe and luscious. 

"Let's pick some, " said Whopper. "Then we can make huckleberrydumplings, or something like that. "

"What about huckleberry pie?" suggested Snap. 

"Great!"

They stopped long enough to pick several quarts of the berries, stowing the fruit away in one of the cleaned-out game bags. Thenon they went as before. 

Soon they broke through the woods into a clearing, and on theopposite side of this saw a camp, with several boys lolling arounda camp fire. They were members of the Spink crowd and includedDick Bush and Carl Dudder. 

"Say, where did you come from?" demanded Carl Dudder as he espiedthem and leaped to his feet. 

"From the woods, " answered Shep calmly. 

"What do you want?"

"Nothing, Dudder, excepting to pass. "

"Huh! You needn't look so innocent-like, Shep Reed! We know whatyou did to our boat, " put in Dick Bush. 

"What did we do to it?" asked Whopper. 

"You know well enough. Think you're smart, don't you?" growled Carl. 

"We know what you were going to do to our boat, " put in Snap. 

"What?"

"You heard what I said. We only got ahead of you, that's all. "

"We'll fix you for it, don't you worry, " said Carl with a cunningleer. 

"Take care that you don't get into trouble, " was Shep's answer. Then he walked around the camp fire and his chums followed. 

"Where are you going?" asked one of the other members of the Spinkcrowd. 

"That is our business. "

At this answer the other lads merely scowled. There was an awkwardpause, and then Shep and his chums moved on and plunged into thewoods beyond the camp fire. 

"They are a real sociable bunch, " was Whopper's sarcastic comment. "How I would love to stay with them!"

"I'll wager they fight like cats and dogs, " put in the doctor'sson. "I don't believe they have one real pleasant day. " Andhe was right; the Spink crowd were usually wrangling from mornto night and already one of the number had left and started forhome in disgust. 

The boy hunters had the best part of half a mile farther to go, but this they soon covered and then came to an opening that lookedfamiliar to them. Close at hand was their own camp. As theyapproached they heard loud talking. 

"You clear out, Ham Spink, and leave us alone, " came in the voiceof Giant. "We don't want you around here. And we don't wantyou, either, Ike Akley. "

"We'll leave when we please, " was the answer from Ham Spink. 

"We aren't going to hurt you, " said the boy named Ike Akley, anotherof the Spink contingent. 

"We don't want you around. "

"Got anything good to eat?" demanded Ham coolly. 

"Not for you. "

"We'll not go until you give us something good. "

"That's the talk!" cried Akley. 

Let's take a look around and see if we can find any cookies!"said Ham. 

"You leave our things alone, " said Giant firmly. 

"Bah! You fellows didn't leave our boat alone, so why should we leaveyour things alone?" growled Ham. 

"I won't have you looking through our things, " cried Giant. 

He stepped up in front of Ham, who was much taller and heavier. At the same time Tommy ran to a distance and picked up two good-sizedstones. 

"You touch him or the things and I'll throw these!" cried the boyfrom the circus. "And I'll set my dog on you, too!"

"You little rat, you!" roared Ham. "Don't you dare to interferewith me. "

"I'll take care of the kid!" cried Ike Akley, and strode towardTommy. But in a twinkling the boy from the circus had leapedinto a tree and was safe among the branches. The stones he hadput in his pockets, but now he brought them forth again. 

"Just remember what I said!" he exclaimed. "I'm a good shot, too!"

"We'll get the best of 'em, and take what we please!" cried HamSpink. 

"Will you?" called out Shep, advancing into the opening, with hisgun in his hands. "I rather guess not. "

Ham looked around, and so did Ike Akley. When both saw the doctor'sson, Snap and Whopper, and all with their guns in their hands, theyfell back and grew a trifle pale. 

"Thought you were going to rob us, eh?" said Shep sternly. 

"N---no, " stammered Ham. "We---er---we were only going to takea---er---cookie or two, if you had 'em. "

"Well, you'll not take a thing, so clear out!"

"You---you took our boat, " said Ham. 

"And you were going to take ours, only you didn't find it, " said Snapwith a grin. 

"You hadn't any right to touch our boat. "

"See here, Ham, don't talk like a child. After all you did to harmus in the past we've got a right to do almost anything to you, andyou know it, " said the doctor's son. "Now you clear out and leaveus alone. "

"You've been following us, " put in Ike Akley. 

"Not at all. "

"Then why did you come away out here to camp?"

"Because we chose to come. Now, clear out---and stay away!"

A wordy war lasting several minutes followed. It was plainly to beseen that the shifting of the boat had filled Ham Spink with rage, and he was unusually anxious to "square up" with the four boyhunters. But he could do nothing, and at last he and his cronywithdrew. 

"I am glad you arrived, " said Giant. "If you hadn't I am afraidthose fellows would have gotten the best of us. "

"I would have shied rocks at them, " said Tommy, who had come downfrom the tree. "They may be bigger than I am, but I guess I couldoutrun 'em, " and at this remark the others had to smile. 

"More than likely they'll come back some time, " said Snap. "Andthey'll bring the others with them. We'll have to remain on guard. But, Tommy, I've got great news. "

"What is that?"

"We've spotted a lion---the one that got away from the circus. "

"A lion!" ejaculated Giant. 

"Yes; and we are hoping to trap the beast and get the reward offeredfor its return, " said Whopper. 

CHAPTER XXIII

A BEAR AND A LION

Giant and Tommy listened with interest to what the others had totell about the wildcats, the deer and the lion, and also about thestop at the Spink camp. The story about the lion interested Tommydeeply. 

"Casso will be glad to get that lion back, " he said. "And if youcapture him alive he ought to be willing to pay well for it. "

Giant and Tommy had had a rather quiet time in camp. They hadhunted and fished a little, and Giant had taken some photos anddeveloped some films and plates and printed a few pictures. Thephotographs had turned out well, and the young hunters werecorrespondingly proud of them. 

"I think my father will be much pleased, " said the doctor's son. "Iam sure they are right in line with what he wanted. But we must geta good many more. "

"How about your watch, Shep?" asked Whopper. 

"I declare, I forgot about it---thinking of that lion, " answeredthe doctor's son. "We'll have to go to that lonely cabin andsee if I can't get it back from that crazy hermit---if he is around. "

A day's rest seemed to make Snap and Shep feel as lively as ever, but Whopper declared that he was still tired out, and, besides, he had scraped an ankle on the rocks and this was quite sore. Hesaid that he was willing to take it quiet for at least a day ortwo more. 

"We'll have to see about that lion, and about that hermit, " declaredShep. "Supposing we leave you and Tommy in camp this time, and takeGiant along?"

"All right, " said Whopper. 

"Do you think you can manage---if the Spink tribe come to botheryou?" asked Snap. 

"I think so---unless they come at night. "

"You'll have to risk that. "

"Wags will watch out at night, " said Tommy. "He's better as a watchdog at night than he is in the daytime. "

It was decided that the boys should try first to find out if thelion had been trapped. Then they were to journey to the lonelycabin in the woods. Not knowing how long they would be away. Theytook with them a fair stock of provisions and also a good supplyof matches. They also took new films and plates for their cameras. Fortunately, in spite of the rather rough experiences of the boys, none of the picture-taking machines had been damaged, beyond havingthe leather covers scratched, and this did not matter. 

"They don't look so well, " said Shep. "But they'll do the work, and that's what we want. "

The doctor's son, with Snap and Giant, started early on the followingmorning. Giant was glad to get away from the camp once more, andwhistled a merry tune as they hurried along. They cut around theSpink camp, not wishing to meet their enemies. 

"No use of letting them know we are gone, " said Snap. "If theydid, they'd be sure to go and bother Whopper and Tommy at once---andtwo couldn't do much against that whole crowd. "

Snap and Shep had fixed the direction well in their mind and studiedthe position of the sun, so that they might not go astray. Havingleft the Spink camp behind them, the three boys struck out in a beeline for the spot where they had left the pit with the dead wildcatsas bait. They made good progress, and stopped less than half anhour for lunch at midday. 

"We ought to reach there before nightfall, " said the doctor's son. "That is, unless we get turned around again. "

"I think we are going straight, " answered Snap. "But it may befarther than you think. "

While tramping along they scared up several rabbits, and Giantbrought down one of these. But game appeared to be scarce andnothing else came to view. 

It was just five o'clock when they reached a clearing that lookedfamiliar to Snap and Shep. 

"That pit is just beyond here, " said the doctor's son. "We'd bettergo slow---in case that lion hasn't been caught and is at large. "

The others took the advice and advanced with caution. A fringeof brushwood hid the pit from view. On the other side of theclearing was a dense forest of pines and hemlocks. 

"Well, I never!"

It was the doctor's son who uttered the exclamation. He was slightlyin advance and had peered over the bushes. 

"What is it?" asked Snap in a low tone. 

"Look, but don't make any noise. "

Snap and Whopper pressed forward and looked. What they saw thrilledthem greatly. 

On the edge of the pit was a fair-sized black bear. He was sniffingat the carcass of the wildcat that rested on the tree branches laidover the mouth of the opening. 

"A chance for a fine shot!" whispered Giant a bit nervously. 

"Wait---we'll get a picture first!" said the doctor's son. "Butkeep quiet!"

The others understood, and, hardly daring to breathe, the three ladsswung their cameras into position, got them ready for use, andspread out among the bushes to take some snapshots. 

The bear was a cautious animal and slowly he circled the pit, sniffing longingly at the carcass so close at hand. Evidently hedesired a meat diet for a change and wanted to get the wildcat verymuch, but did not quite trust the tree branches and what mightbe underneath. 

Each of the lads got what he thought was a good picture, and thenSnap and Giant looked at Shep and touched their guns. But thedoctor's son did not see them, for he was looking wildly at somethingbetween the trees on the other side of the clearing. 

"What do you see?" whispered Snap. 

"Hush!" answered the doctor's son. "Look for yourself. "

Snap and Giant gazed in the direction pointed out, and it must beconfessed that the hair of the smaller youth literally rose on end. There, between two trees, crouched the lion that had escaped fromthe circus. The eyes of the monarch of the forest were fastenedon the bear, and his tail was swaying from side to side, showingthat he was getting ready for a leap. 

"Shall we---we shoot?" asked Snap. He was so agitated he couldhardly speak. 

"Why not take a picture?" asked Shep, who had his camera still inhis hand. 

"All right---but we don't want that lion to---to come this way. "

"Not much!" put in Giant, and it must be confessed that his voicetrembled a good deal. To face a deer or even a bear was one thing;to face a powerful lion was quite another. 

Slowly the lion came out from between the two trees. The bear nowhad his head turned the other way, so he was not aware of theapproach of the enemy. 

It made a magnificent picture, and for the moment the boys forgottheir own peril and each took two snapshots, one with the lionalmost on top of the bear. 

Scarcely had they clicked the shutters of the cameras the secondtime when a blood-curdling roar rent the air, and the lion made onegrand leap for the bear. But as this happened bruin chanced toturn slightly, and with a movement wonderful in such a bulkyanimal the bear sprang to one side. The lion missed his would-beprey and slid forward, directly into the mass of tree limbs coveringthe pit. 

"He's going into the hole!" cried Snap. "Look!"

All gazed on the scene and saw that Snap was right. Unable tostop himself, the lion had crashed down between the tree limbsand was now struggling vainly to reach firm ground once more. The bear backed away and then, turning, sped off among the trees, not over a dozen yards from where the young hunters were in hiding. 

"The bear---he's coming this way!" yelled Snap. 

"Shoot him!" screamed Giant. And he brought around his gun. 

All tried to get a shot, but the trees were too thick, and ina few seconds the bear was out of sight, crashing down the brushwoodas he went. 

He was badly frightened, and with good cause, for a lion was a newenemy for him. 

As the bear disappeared the boy hunters turned their attention againto the lion. The monarch of the forest was doing his best to climbover the tree limbs, which turned and bent between him. 

"Shall we shoot him?" queried Snap. "If he gets loose. "

"There he goes!" shouted Shep. 

As the doctor's son spoke they heard a tree limb snap in twain. Forone instant the lion clung to the broken end, then, with a roar, thebeast sank out of sight into the pit. 

CHAPTER XXIV

A NOTABLE CAPTURE

"We've got him! We've got him!" shouted Snap, and his heart gavea wild bound of pleasure. 

"Don't be too sure, " cautioned the doctor's son. "Wait---keepyour gun ready for use. "

"That's it---he may get out of the pit, " came from Giant. "Don'ttake any risks. He could kill a fellow in a minute, if he got thechance!"

They waited, each with his gun ready. Down in the pit they heardthe lion growling and slashing around. Evidently he was doing hisbest to get out of the hole. 

"I'll bet he's mad, " said Snap. 

"One of the dead wildcats is with him, " said Snap. "That willgive him something to eat. "

"He'll not think of eating just now, " answered the doctor's son. "He knows he is in a bad fix. "

They waited a minute longer and then the lion became quiet. Atlast the three boy hunters ventured into the clearing and Shep, with his gun raised, walked slowly to the edge of the pit. 

Suddenly a fearful roar rent the air, echoing far and wide acrossthe mountains. The lion had discovered the doctor's son. His manebristled and he showed his cruel teeth to the full. 

"Can he---do you think he can get out?" asked Snap. 

"Hardly, or he'd be out already, " answered Shep. "Let us pullthose branches away. They might give him some sort of a foothold. "

All three of the boys came up and gazed down on the captured beast. They hauled the tree branches away and threw the second deadwildcat into the pit. Snap did this, and it seemed to cause thelion some surprise. He shut his mouth, his eyes began to blink, and presently he bent down and commenced to feed on one of thecarcasses. 

"He knows he is a prisoner, " cried Snap. "See, he's acting just asif he was in the circus. " For the monarch of the forest had laiddown, with the meat between his heavy fore paws. 

"I've got an idea, " said Shep, looking around. "There are a greatnumber of flat stones on the mountain side. Let us shove themdown here and pile up a sort of wall around the top of the pit. That will surely keep the lion in. "

This was considered a good suggestion, and all the lads set to workwithout delay. Some of the stones were so large it took two tolift them. They made an excellent wall, and inside of an hourthe boys had a barrier around the top of the pit three feet high. 

"I don't think he'll get out in a hurry, " said Shep. "But to makesure we can cut some poles and lay them over the stones and pilemore stones on top. "

"Humph! Why didn't you mention the poles first?" said Snap. 

"I didn't think of it, Snap. "

The saplings were cut and placed in a row over the top of the pitand then some stones were put on top of these. Evidently the liondid not like to have his light and air cut off, and he commencedto roar again. But this the boys did not mind, for they now knewthey had him fast. 

It goes without saying that all the boys were delighted over theircatch. 

"We'll have to get word to the circus folks as quickly as possible, "said Snap. "But where the show is now I don't know. "

"Probably Tommy knows the route the circus was to take, " answeredthe doctor's son. 

"He does, for he spoke to me about it, " put Giant. "But I haveforgotten the towns and dates. "

"Do you know what I'd like to do before going on to that lonelycabin?" went on Snap. 

"What?"

"Go after that bear. "

"Oh, he is probably miles away by this time, " said the doctor'sson. "He was too scared to stay around here. "

"Well, let us go after him, anyway. He went in the directionof the cabin---that is, partly. "

"Well, we'll see in the morning, " said Shep. 

The three boy hunters went into camp not very far away from the pitholding the lion. Once or twice they went up to view their preciousprize, and noted that after eating one of the wildcats the lionstretched out and went to sleep. 

"Guess he thinks he's back in the menagerie, " said Giant. "Well, let him, if only he'll keep quiet until the circus people take himaway. "

It was such a warm night they did not bother with a camp fire, but eating some of the food brought along, soon retired and wentsound asleep. Once Giant awoke with a start and imagined that thelion was after him, but he soon went to sleep again. 

I'm the morning they found the captured lion still resting quietlyon the bottom of the pit. He had not touched the second wildcat. 

"He'll have plenty of food, " said Snap. "But how about water?"

"I was thinking of that, " answered the doctor's son. "We'll haveto bring some from a spring and lower it to him. "

They took the kettle they had brought along and filled it at a springthey had found and lowered this into the pit by means of a pieceof fishingline Grant carried. At first the lion roared in rage, but when he saw the water he drank eagerly. They had to fill thekettle three times before he was satisfied. Then they took morewater and poured it in a hollow on one side of the pit bottom. 

"Now he won't go thirsty for a long time, " said Shep. 

They cooked themselves a good breakfast and a little later set offacross the hills in the direction of the end of Firefly Lake. Itwas their purpose to get to the lake by noon if possible, and thenstrike out along the rocky watercourse leading to Lake Cameron. 

"We'll have to be careful how we tackle that hermit, " said thedoctor's son. "He may be the craziest kind of a lunatic. "

"I've got an idea, " said Snap. "Wouldn't it be a good idea towait until night and then crawl up to the cabin while he is asleep?"

"It may be---if he didn't take us for robbers and act worse thanever. "

"Why not try him in the daytime first, and then, if you can't getthe watch, go back at night?" said Giant. 

"He may prowl around at night, " suggested Shep. "And, remember, he may not have the watch at all---it's all guesswork. "

It was an exceedingly warm day, and when it was near noon all threeof the young hunters were glad enough to lie down in the shade andrest. Game appeared to be as scarce as the day before and all theyshot were some rabbits and one squirrel. 

"We've got to do better than this before we go home, " said Shep. 

"If we only knew what had become of that bear!" sighed Snap. 

"Yes, if we only did!" murmured Giant. 

It was so pleasant in the shade that none of the boys could get upambition enough to go on until they had taken a nap. Then theywent up a hill slowly, carrying their coats over their shoulders. 

"If it's hot here, what must it be in town?" said the doctor's son. 

"About ninety in the shade!" cried Snap. 

At the top of the hill they took another rest. Here there was alittle breeze, for which they were thankful. 

"There is the lake!" cried Giant, pointing to a sheet of water belowthem. "One good thing, it will be easier going downhill than it wascoming up. "

"I vote we go in for a good swim when we reach the lake, " said Snap. "What do you say, Shep?"

"I'd rather get to that cabin, before it is too late. But I'll takea ten-minutes' dip, if you wish. "

So it was agreed, and the boys hurried through the woods to the lakeshore in a pleasant frame of mind. 

"Listen!" cried Snap presently. "What's that---a dog?"

All listened and heard a loud barking, coming from the neighborhoodof the water. 

"I think it's a fox!" cried Giant. "You'll remember, they bark justlike that!"

"Let's try to get a photo and a shot!" answered the doctor's son. "Nothing like getting pictures of everything, " he added. 

They increased their speed, and soon found themselves within ahundred yards of the shore of Firefly Lake. The barking had nowceased, and they stood still, not knowing in which direction to turn. 

"Something moving over yonder, " whispered Giant presently, and noddedwith his head down the lake shore. 

Making no noise, they went forward again. They had to pass somebushes and rocks, and then came to a point where a spur of landjutted far out into Firefly Lake. It was a rocky and sandy spur, with scarcely any brushwood on it. 

"There you are!" said Snap, and pointed to the extreme end of thespur. There, on the rocks, were two large foxes, their noses wellin the air, gazing down the lake attentively. 

"We've got them, " murmured the doctor's son. "Come on, we'll takepictures first and then shoot them!"

He brought around his camera and the others did likewise. They hadjust snapped the shutters when the foxes turned, saw them, and setup a loud and angry barking and showed their teeth. 

"They are coming for us!" yelled Giant, and he was right. Withouthesitation, the foxes made several big leaps and came directly forthe young hunters!

CHAPTER XXV

THE TWO FOXES

Ordinarily the foxes would have turned and run away, but, with thelake behind them, this was impossible, consequently they showedfight. They came on snapping and snarling viciously and with theirteeth gleaming in a manner that made the boys shudder. 

Fortunately for the young hunters the distance from the spur ofrocks to where the lads stood was over fifty yards, so, as thefoxes came rushing on, they had just time enough to shove asidetheir cameras and bring their shotguns to the front. Snap wasthe first of the three to bring his weapon into play, and he pulledthe trigger when the fox was less than a dozen feet away. 

The shot was a fairly good one, for it took the beast just underthe breast. The fox gave a yelp of intense pain and dropped back. 

The other fox came rushing at the doctor's son. The strap of Shep'sgun had become entangled with that of his camera and consequentlyit was next to impossible for him to bring the weapon into properplay. He fired, but the charge went too high, and the beast continuedto come on, until it crouched at his feet, snapping viciously andgetting ready to leap at his throat. 

It was now that Giant showed his mettle. He, too, had had a littletrouble in getting at his gun, but now the weapon was pointed atthe fox at Shep's feet. Giant ran closer and pulled the trigger. Bang! went the gun, and the fox received the full charge directlyin the left ear. It keeled over, and Giant sent the second chargeof his double-barreled weapon into the second fox, and that, too, went down and lay quivering in its death agonies. 

It took the young hunters some time to recover from the excitementof the occurrence. The attack of the foxes had come so quickly thatit had startled them greatly. 

"This ought to be a warning to us---this and that fight with thewildcats, " said Snap. "We ought to be on our guard every minute. We've been lucky so far---maybe some other time we'll not do so well. "

"Don't borrow trouble, Snap, " answered the doctor's son. "YetI agree with you, we must be more careful in the future. Is yourcamera all right?"

"I think so. "

"Then let us take pictures of ourselves with the dead foxes, " wenton Shep, and this was done, and later the photographs turned outvery well. 

Having finished with the picture-taking, the boys threw off theirclothing and went for a swim in the clear, cool waters of FireflyLake. 

"Say, this is fine!" cried Snap enthusiastically as he splashedthe water around. "Makes a fellow feel a year younger, after sucha hot tramp as we have had!"

"That's what!" answered the doctor's son. "Look at this!" he addedas he made a long dive from a rock beside which he knew the waterto be deep. 

They dove and swam and splashed around to their hearts' content fora good quarter of an hour, and even had a little race to a snagsticking up from the bottom fifty yards from the rocks. Then Shepsaid they had better dress and proceed on their way. 

They ran out of the lake, shook themselves, and made for the spotwhe`e they had left their clothing behind some bushes. Each staredin amazement. The clothing had been left in three heaps; now thegarments were strewn around in helter-skelter fashion. 

"Somebody has been here!" cried Snap. "Is anything gone?" demandedGiant. At this all took a hasty inventory of their possessions. 

"My shirt is missing!" came from the doctor's son. 

"One of my socks is gone, " added Giant. 

"My belt is gone, " came from Snap, "and so is my camera. "

"And my gun!" added Shep, looking around to where the weapons hadrested against a tree. 

"Boys, we have been robbed!"

"What enemy has done this?"

"Can this be the work of the Spink crowd?"

For a minute the talk was lively, and then the boys calmed down alittle. Even in their excitement they were glad that nothing morehad been taken. 

"I don't think the Spink crowd did this, " said Snap. "Ham Spinkwouldn't stop short of taking everything. "

"Exactly my idea of it, " answered Giant. 

"Whoever it was had a queer idea of what to take, " said the doctor'sson slowly. "A shirt, a belt, one sock, a camera and a gun. Why inthe name of goodness did he take one sock and not the other?"

"He certainly threw things around pretty well, " said Giant. "Maybeit was a wild animal, " he continued suddenly. 

"No wild animal would walk off with a camera and a gun, Giant, "returned Snap. "Ha! I have it!" he cried. "That crazy hermit!"

"Maybe you're right, " said Shep. "It would be just like such afellow to do a thing like this. "

"And if he did this he must certainly have taken the watch, " wenton Snap. 

"It would seem so. "

The boys lost no time in dressing. As it was warm, Shep did notmiss his shirt very much, nor did Giant miss his sock. Having nobelt, Snap used a piece of stout cord instead. 

"The loss of the gun is bad, " said the doctor's son as they werefinishing their toilet. "For if that crazy fellow has it, it willbe so much harder to tackle him. "

"That's true, " answered Snap. "Maybe he'll shoot himself withit---if he's so very crazy. "

"Oh, we'll not hope that, " murmured Giant. 

They took the dead foxes and hung them high up in a tree, intending, if possible, to come for them later and turn the meat over to thecaptured lion. Then they pushed forward in the direction of therocky waterway that connected the two lakes. 

"You'll have to lead, " said Snap to the doctor's son. "You'vebeen here before. "

"I'll lead as well as I can, " was the answer. "But there is noregular trail---that is, on the other side of the river. "

The walking now became very rough, and the three young hunters hadto proceed slowly. At times they were in sight of the water, butoften their course led them inland for a hundred yards or more. 

"These rocks are something fierce!" exclaimed Giant at length, afterslipping and sliding several times. 

"You beware that you don't twist an ankle, " cautioned Snap. 

Presently they reached a spot where further progress seemed impossible. Giant and Snap halted and looked at Shep. 

Before them was a little hollow, filled with small stones, andbeyond were some shelving rocks with large cracks between. Overthe shelving rocks grew heavy masses of vines. 

"Don't drag, " urged the doctor's son. "It is getting late. Thesun will be down in another hour. "

"I can't go any faster, " panted Giant. All three advanced andtried to climb the shelving rocks by holding on to the vines. Some of these gave way, and the three boys fell back. Then fromunder the rocks came a strange, hissing sound, followed by a curiousrattle. 

"What's that?" cried Snap. 

"Snakes!" roared the doctor's son. "Back for your lives, fellows!We have struck a den of rattlesnakes!"

CHAPTER XXVI

MORE OF A MYSTERY

There was a wild scrambling on the part of all the young huntersto get out of the zone of danger. They leaped for the rocks behindthem, and Shep and Snap succeeded in mounting to spots of comparativesafety. But Giant was not so successful, and, slipping and sliding, He rolled over and over, coming to a stop when flat on his back. 

"Get up! get up!" screamed the doctor's son. "Hurry up, Giant!"

Shep and Snap had caught sight of three rattlesnakes, that hadglided from between the shelving rocks ahead. They were all ofgood size. One had been caught in the torn-away vines and washissing viciously, and the other two were sounding their rattles, preparatory to striking at the smaller youth. 

Giant did not remain upon his back long. The instant he landedhe started to turn over. He saw one of the snakes draw near andmake a strike at his sockless ankle. Giant let out a yell likean Indian on the warpath, and, on all fours, made a leap like afrog a distance of several feet. Then he stood upright and madeanother leap for the rocks. As he came close, Snap caught himby the arm and pulled him still higher. 

The doctor's son was the only person capable, just then, of usinga gun, and having no weapon of his own he grabbed Snap's and blazedaway. Whether he hit a snake or not he could not tell. There wasa hissing and rustling among the torn away vines, and when the smokeof the discharge cleared away the snakes were no longer to be seen. 

"Ugh! what---a---a thing t---to happen!" said Giant with a shiver. His emotion was so deep he could scarcely speak. 

"Where are the snakes now?" asked Snap, and drew himself up on thehighest rock he could find. 

"I don't know---hiding, I suppose, " answered the doctor's son as hepeered around sharply for a sight of the reptiles. 

The three boys waited for fully two minutes, not daring to make amove. The vines lay where they had been cast, and between them layGiant's gun, which he had dropped when trying to leap to safety. 

"I guess we had better get out of this locality, " said Snap atlength. "I have no desire to be bitten by a rattlesnake!"

"Indeed not!" answered Giant. "But my gun---I don't want to leavethat behind. "

"Do you want to go down for it?"

"Not for a thousand dollars!" answered the small youth vehemently. "Why, a rattlesnake bite is deadly poisonous!"

"I know that as well as you do, Giant. "

"You might make a cast with your fishing-line, " suggested thedoctor's son. 

"I will. "

Giant always carried several lines, and selecting one of these, hemade a loop and to it fastened a small sinker for a weight. Thenhe made a cast for the gun and secured it. 

Slowly and cautiously, and keeping on the highest rocks they couldfind, the three young hunters commenced to retreat. They moved backat least fifty yards, and then made a wide detour along the hillskirting the watercourse. All this took time, and when they thoughtthemselves safe it was growing dark. 

"This doesn't look as if we were going to get to the cabin veryfast, " remarked Snap. "How much farther have we to go?"

"A good half mile, " answered Shep. 

"Then we might as well go on, even if it is night, " put in Giant. "Perhaps we can catch that crazy fellow asleep and make him aprisoner. He ought to be arrested for stealing our things. "

Presently the doctor's son came to a spot that looked familiar, anda minute later he pointed to a notch cut in a tree. 

"That is my blaze, " he said. "I made it so as to remember wherethe cabin was located. We'll be there in a few minutes more. Better keep quiet. "

The others understood, and after that they advanced without speaking, unless it seemed necessary, and then only in a whisper. The sun hadgone down, and it was as quiet as it was lonely. 

The doctor's son was in the lead, and presently he halted and pointedahead. There was the dilapidated cabin, just as it had been whenvisited by Shep and Whopper. 

"See anybody?" asked Giant in a low voice. 

"Not a soul. "

"Supposing we walk around the place first?" suggested Snap. 

The others agreed to this, and they circled the lonely structure ata distance of twenty yards. Nobody appeared, nor did they hear anysound from within. 

"I may be mistaken, but it looks deserted to me, " said Snap. 

"Well, we thought it was deserted, too, until that fellow shiedthings at us, " answered the doctor's son. 

At last, growing a bit bolder, the three lads walked slowly up tothe cabin, Snap and Giant with their guns ready for use and thedoctor's son with a stout stick he had cut. Thus they reachedthe doorway, which was wide open. Shep looked in, shielding hishead with one arm, for he did not know but what he might becomethe target for anything the strange creature living there shouldhave in hand. 

The place was pitch dark inside, and for the moment the doctor'sson could see nothing. But as his eyes grew accustomed to thegloom he saw a broken table and an old bench, and several discardedarticles of culinary ware. 

"Do yo---you se---see him?" whispered Giant. He was so agitated hecould scarcely frame the words. 

Shep shook his head, and, growing still bolder, stepped into thelonely cabin. With added caution his two chums followed. Theytiptoed their way through the two rooms and back again. 

"He must have gone out, " said Snap at last. 

"Shall I make a light?" And as the others assented he strucka match and lit the pocket lantern he had brought along. 

The rays of the small light revealed a curious scene to them. In acorner, where it had been hurled, lay Shep's gun. It had beendischarged and the buckshot had gone through one sleeve of theshirt that had been stolen and which likewise lay in the corner. There was some blood on the shirt, and bloodstains led acrossthe floor to the doorway and outside. 

"Must have shot himself, " was Snap's comment. 

"Yes; and ran away after he did it, " returned Giant. 

"See anything of my watch?" asked Shep. 

"No; and I don't see my belt or my camera, either, " answered Snap. 

"Or my sock, " put in Giant. 

The inner room of the cabin was littered up with a variety of things, the wings of birds, feathers of chickens, shells of eggs, bones, bits of tree branches, an old iron chain, a tiny square looking-glass, badly cracked, some stale bread and cake, cores of apples and pears, and a great mass of other trash. 

"He's a regular pig, " was Snap's comment. 

"Wonder if he'll come back to-night?" was Giant's question. 

"Perhaps, unless he was fatally wounded, " answered Shep. 

They made a thorough search for the missing watch, camera, andother things, but without success. Shep would not touch the shirt, and left it where it was. But he took the gun, and after examiningit proceeded to load up the empty barrel. 

"We'll go into camp near here, " said the doctor's son. "And keepwatch for the missing person, whoever he is. "

They got supper and went into camp close to the rear of the cabin. They took turns at watching throughout the entire night, butnothing came to disturb them. Early in the morning they visitedthe cabin again, but found nothing new to interest them. Comingout, Giant started up two rabbits and quickly shot the game. 

"Say, that will bring him back, if he's in this vicinity, " criedSnap. "Perhaps it would have been better-----"

He stopped speaking, for as he spoke they heard another gunshotfrom the woods between them and the river. Then came a call thatsounded somewhat familiar. 

CHAPTER XXVII

AN OLD FRIEND APPEARS

"That can't be the wild man, can it?" queried Giant. 

"No, " answered the doctor's son. "I think I know that voice. "

"I think it's Jed Sanborn, " came from Snap. 

They waited for a few minutes and then saw a familiar figure emergefrom the woods. It was their old hunting friend, and in his handhe carried six partridges. 

"Hello, there!" he cried on coming closer. "Thought you fellerswas a-goin' up to the Windy Mountains?"

"We've been up---have our camp there, " answered the doctor's son. "We came down here for a purpose. "

"Everything all right at home?" asked Giant. 

"Yes. We had a scare day before yesterday, though. Hicks' barn gotafire, an' folks thought the town might burn down, account o' thewind. But the bucket brigade an' the engine got the fire out beforeanything else caught. "

"Are our folks all well?" asked Snap. 

"Yes; an' hopin' you are the same, as they write in letters, "and the old hunter grinned. "Had much luck shootin' andpicter-takin'?"

"We are well satisfied, " answered Shep. "Got quite some partridgeand rabbits and some deer, and a lion-----"

"Oh, sure! A lion! Suppose ye got an ellerphant, andhoppo-what-you-call-'em, too?"

"We did get a lion, " said Giant. "We've got him in a pit. "

"See here, son, lions don't roam these woods, an' never did. Youare mistook in the beast. "

"It's the circus lion, Jed; the one that got away at Railings, "explained Snap. 

"Oh! Do ye really mean it?" And now Jed Sanborn was tremendouslyinterested. 

"Yes. We saw him on the mountain side and found a big pit andmade a trap of it with some wildcat meat, and we caught him. "

"Is he alive an' well?"

"Yes. "

"Glory to Washington! Do you know them circus folks has offered areward o' three hundred dollars fer that lion if caught alive?"

"Then the money is ours!" cried Shep. "Hurrah, boys, that suitsme down to the ground!"

"Are you sure about the reward?" asked Snap. 

"O' course---I read the poster in the post-office. They'll givethree hundred dollars fer the lion an' five hundred fer the eddicatedchim---what-you-call-him. You know. "

"The educated chimpanzee, " said Shep. 

"That's it. It looks as if that chimpanzee was wuth a lot to them. He was a whole show in hisself. "

"Well, we've got the lion right enough, " said Snap. "We don't knowanything about the monkey. "

They told the old hunter about many of their doings, and relatedthe story of the missing watch, camera, and other things. 

"Why, I didn't know anybody lived in this cabin, " said Jed Sanborn. "It's been empty ever since old Sturgis died---about twelve yearsago. He had some awful disease---like smallpox---and folks gotscared to come here. "

"Gracious! You don't suppose we'll get any disease?" cried Giantin alarm. 

"Not from him, son---it's too long ago. Why, say, I was at thiscabin less than a month ago---stopped here overnight account o'a rainstorm. "

Wasn't nobuddy here then. It can't be Peter Peterson, can it?"

"No; it didn't look like Peterson, " answered the doctor's son. "Besides, Peterson isn't so plumb crazy as this chap. "

"I'll take a look around, " answered Jed Sanborn. 

He made the same investigation as had the boys. Then he got downon his hands and knees and examined the soft ground in and aroundthe cabin. 

"Say, did ye see anything o' a dog around here?" he asked. 

"Yes, " answered Giant. "That is, the circus boy we told you abouthas his dog with him---a collie. "

"Here's a trail looks something like a dog's, but not much. Plentyo' other footmarks---but I reckon you made those. "

What to do next the boys did not know. There was no telling whathad become of the strange occupant of the lonely cabin, or whenhe would return. 

"We'd like to let those circus folks know about the lion, " said thedoctor's son. "I suppose one of us will have to go back to town tosend them word. "

"I am going back to town to-morrow, " answered the old hunter. "Ican take word, if ye want me to. "

"That will do first-rate, " answered Shep. "We can send word wheresome of the men can meet us---and in the meantime we can watch thelion, so that he doesn't get away, and doesn't die of hunger andthirst. "

"Wild beasts can live a long time without food and drink, " saidJed Sanborn. "But the gittin' away is another story. Betterwatch him putty closely. "

After a good deal of talking the boys decided to return to theircamp. It was arranged that the old hunter should depart for townat once, find out where the circus was, and inform the proprietorthat the lion was found. Then, when a circus representative appeared, Sanborn was to meet him, arrange to cage the lion, and meet the boysat their camp, the location of which they described in such amanner that it could not be missed. Sanborn said the circusmanager had found out that the three discharged employees wereguilty of letting the animals escape, and the men were now in jail. 

"Tell our folks that we are well and having a grand time, " saidSnap, and Sanborn promised to do so. 

After a hearty dinner, at which the old hunter ate his fill ofthe things cooked by Giant, the boys and the old hunter separated, and Shep and his chums struck out for the camp. It was still warm, so the doctor's son did not mind the loss of his shirt. He hadmore at the camp, so the loss did not matter much. 

"I am glad we saw Jed, " said Shep as they trudged along. "That willsave us the trip to town. I hope he gets the circus folks here soon. "

"Tommy won't want to see them, " said Giant. "He told me he neverwanted to see the inside of a circus tent again. "

"And I don't blame him, " returned Snap. "Well, he can easily keepout of the way, and we needn't say anything about him. "

"Wonder what he'll do after we go home?"

"I've got an idea, " came from the doctor's son. "Let us take himwith us and do what we can to find his sister. If we can't findher, let us see if we can't find a home for him and put him toschool. He ought to get an education. "

"I'm willing to do what I can, " said Snap readily. His eyes brightened. "We might spend some of that reward for the lion on Tommy. I'd bewilling to put in my share. "

"So would I, " answered Shep. 

In the middle of the afternoon they reached a beauwul spot in themountains, where a rocky stream formed a series of waterfalls. Thislocality had been mentioned by Dr. Reed, and they spent some timegetting different pictures of it, Snap assisting the others, sincehe had no camera of his own. 

"I hope I get that camera back, " he said. 

"We all hope that, " returned Giant. "The wild man can keep mysock---I shouldn't want to touch it after he had it. "

The water at the foot of the falls looked good for fishing, andGiant pleaded for permission to fish for a quarter of an hour orso. This was granted, and he promptly baited up and threw in. As a consequence he soon caught a beautiful brook trout, andseveral more followed. 

"Wait; I'll take a snapshot of hauling in the next fish, " said thedoctor's son, and he succeeded in getting a view that later onturned out exceedingly well. 

Not having anything else to do, Snap wandered down the brook fora distance of a hundred yards. He was on the point of turningback when he saw something at a distance, moving among the brushwood. He looked sharply for a moment and then discovered that it wasa large black bear. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

AFTER A BLACK BEAR

"Shep! Giant! Quick!"

"What's the matter, Snap?"

"A bear! Down the stream! Come on with the guns!" went on Snapexcitedly. He had returned hot-footed to where he had left his chumsand the firearms. 

"Are you sure?" queried the doctor's son as he dropped his camera andgrabbed up his shotgun. 

"Dead certain---but I don't know how long he will stay there. Oh, if I had only had my gun with me!" groaned Snap. "I could havebrought him down as easy as pie!"

"Aren't you going to take your camera?" asked Giant as he drew in hisline and took both his photo outfit and his firearm. 

"Yes, I forgot, " said the doctor's son, and picked up his cameraagain. "Don't shoot till we get a snapshot, " he said to Snap, who, gun in hand, was already off. 

"All right; but we don't want to lose the bear, " answered the otheryoung hunter. 

"Of course not!"

With Snap in the lead, the three boys sneaked swiftly but silentlydown the mountain brook until they came to the spot from which Snaphad discovered the bear. Here they halted, and the others lookedenquiringly at their leader. 

"I saw him right over yonder, " whispered Snap. "Go slow, now, oryou'll scare him. "

With bated breath the three young hunters advanced down the tinystream. They gained the shelter of some dense brushwood and gazedaround eagerly. Not a sign of a bear was to be seen anywhere. 

"Maybe you were dreaming, Snap, " murmured Giant. 

"No, I wasn't---I saw him just as plain as day. "

"Then he must have seen you running back to the pool, and he musthave took out, too. "

"Perhaps; but I was very careful to keep out of sight. "

They advanced a little farther, and now saw ahead of them a slighthollow, where there was another waterfall, sheltered on either sideby sharp rocks. 

"There he is!" whispered the doctor's son excitedly, and pointeddown to the pool at the foot of the falls. The black bear wasthere, getting a drink. 

"We can't take a picture from here, " said Giant disappointedly. "Whatshall we do---fire?"

"Oh, we ought to have a picture of him, " pleaded Shep. "It wouldbe just the thing for our collection. "

"Let me suggest something, " said Snap. "I haven't any camera, soI'll stay here. You two can make a half circle and come up belowand kind of head the bear off. If he starts to run before you getready I'll fire at him. "

So it was agreed, and Shep and Giant hurried off without delay, making a wide detour through the woods and over the rocks. Theycould not help making a little noise, but this was, as they rightfullyreasoned, drowned out by the falling of the waters. 

In the meantime Snap kept careful watch of the bear. The animal tookhis time drinking, raising his head several times to look around him. But he did not turn his gaze upward, and consequently did notdiscover the young hunter, who stood with weapon aimed, ready to fireat a moment's warning. 

Fully five minutes passed, and then the bear stretched himself andcommenced to sniff the air. Then, of a sudden, he arose on his hindlegs to get a better look at his surroundings. 

"This is the time they ought to get their pictures, " thought Snap. 

An instant later he saw something fluttering in the bushes belowthe pool. Shep and Giant were there and had their cameras inaction. The bear continued to stand upright, but presently hedropped on all fours and began to lumber away from the brook at agood rate of speed. 

To have waited longer would have been foolish, and taking carefulaim, Snap fired his shotgun twice. Scarcely had the two reports rungout than Giant also fired, followed, a few seconds later, by thedoctor's son. 

The aims of all three of the young hunters were true, and the bearreceived such a peppering of buckshot that he was seriously if notmortally wounded. He dropped down, dragged himself up again, androared with rage and pain. 

"Give him another!" yelled Snap as he started to reload. 

Giant was the first to run into the opening, and as the bear sawthe youth he snarled viciously and showed his teeth. He tried torush at the boy, but Giant discharged the second barrel of hisshotgun and the charge took the bear in the head. Then the doctor'sson fired again, and hit the animal in the side. This was toomuch for bruin, and with a rocking motion he staggered forward afew steps and then pitched on his head, dead. 

"We've got him! We've got him!" yelled the small youth, dancingaround wildly and flinging his cap into the air. "Isn't this thedandy luck?"

"Did you get the pictures?" questioned Snap, leaping down the rocksto where the game lay. 

"We sure did, " answered the doctor's son. "And I've got one of youaiming your gun right at the bear. I tilted the camera up a littleto get it. "

"What a fine bear!" cried Giant. 

"We never got a better, " answered Snap. "Oh, this is certainly primeluck!"

"We'll have to take some more pictures---of our game, " said Shep, and without delay they took several plates and films---the twocameras being of each kind. All the boys were in the pictures, andof these photographs they were justly proud. 

"Now, the question is, what are we going to do with the bear?"said Snap. "We can't drag such a load to our camp. "

"We'll have to skin the animal and take what meat we want, " answeredthe doctor's son. "It's too bad to leave so much behind, but itcan't be helped. It won't keep in this weather, anyway. "

"If only Jed Sanborn was here---he might take some of it home. "

"I'll tell you what we can do, " said Giant. "Try to drag thecarcass---or a big part of it---up to the lion's pit. It willhelp to feed that beast until the circus folks come. "

"That's an idea, " said Shep. "And if we keep the lion well fed hewon't try so hard to get away. Menagerie animals are always lazywhen well fed---one of the keepers told me that. They only getrestless when they are hungry. "

It took the boys some time to skin the dead bear and cut away suchmeat as they thought they could tote along. The rest of the meatthey hung in a tree, thinking they might possibly come back for itlater. Then they started once more for camp. 

"I hope the Spink crowd hasn't been bothering Whopper and Tommysince we have been away, " said Snap. "If they have-----"

"Don't borrow trouble, " interrupted the doctor's son. "Wait tillit comes. "

With their heavy loads, they made slow progress through the woods, and they were glad when they reached the lion pit and could disposeof some of the bear meat. The lion greeted them with a roar, butthat was all. He had not yet eaten the second wildcat; nevertheless, they threw to him a chunk of the bear meat, the fresh blood of whichwas very much to his satisfaction. 

It was late when they reached camp, thoroughly tired out. Whopperand Tommy were glad to see them, and immediately bustled aboutto get them a good supper. Those left behind listened with interestto the tale the others had to tell. When Shep told about the tracksaround the lonely cabin, tracks that had caused Jed Sanborn to askif they had seen a dog, Tommy looked greatly interested. 

"Say!" he cried. "Do you suppose-----" And then he stopped short. 

"Do we suppose what?" queried Shep. 

"Oh, I suppose it couldn't be, but I was just thinking. Maybe thatisn't a crazy man at all. "

"Well, what do you think it can be?" asked Giant. 

"Maybe it's Abe, the runaway chimpanzee. "

CHAPTER XXIX

THE BOTTOM OF A MYSTERY

All the others listened to Tommy's words with interest. Then Whopperspoke of the face he had seen as looking particularly impish. 

"It was pretty dark, so we couldn't see very well, " said he. "Itmight have been the chimpanzee. "

"Would that chimpanzee steal a watch, and a camera, and a gun?"demanded the doctor's son. 

"He'll take whatever happens to interest him, " answered the boy fromthe circus. "They are constantly trying to teach him new tricks. If you'll remember, one of his tricks is to fire a gun into the air. And another is to look at a watch and pretend to tell the time. "

"That's so!" cried Snap. "I saw him do both at the show. "

"Would he untie our boat?" asked Giant. 

"He might. "

"If it is the chimpanzee we'll have a hard job of it catching him, "said Shep slowly. "He won't stay at the cabin, but roam from placeto place---and there is no telling what he'll do with our things. "

"Don't forget the reward that has been offered, " said Giant. "Ifwe can find the chimpanzee we can get that as well as the rewardfor the lion. "

Whopper and Tommy had not been bothered by the Spink crowd, andwere of the opinion that the latter had shifted their camp to anew locality, closer to the lake. 

"Well, let them keep their distance, that's all I ask, " said thedoctor's son. 

The next day Snap, Shep and Giant rested, while Whopper and Tommywent on a short hunt, bringing in some partridges and severalsquirrels. The boys took a few pictures, Snap using an extracamera that had been brought along. They now had a fine collection, of which they were exceedingly proud. 

Sunday passed, and still they heard nothing from Jed Sanborn. Theboys went hunting several times and brought in a variety of smallgame. They made a trip to the mountain-top and got several morephotographs of value. Films and plates were carefully stored awayin water-and-light-tight cases. 

"I am sure my father will be greatly pleased when he sees what wehave accomplished, " said Shep. "I don't believe he thought wecould do so well. "

On Tuesday morning, just after breakfast, the young hunters heardsomebody coming through the woods toward them. Wags set up aviolent barking. 

"Maybe it's Sanborn with the circus folks, " said Whopper. 

"Oh, what shall I do?" asked Tommy in alarm. "I don't want themto see me. "

"It's the Spink crowd!" cried Giant. "Say, something must be wrong!Look how excited they are!"

"We ought to shoot 'em---that's what we ought to do!" they heardCarl Dudder say loudly. 

"We'll make 'em pay for the things, that's what we'll make 'em do, "answered Ham Spink. 

"Call off your dog, you rascals!" sang out Dick Bush, for Wags hadwalked toward him, barking angrily. 

"Come here, Wags!" cried Tommy, and the collie obeyed instantly. Buthe evidently knew that the newcomers were enemies, for he continuedto eye them suspiciously. 

"Think you're smart, don't you?" roared Ham Spink, striding intothe camp and facing Shep and Snap. "Well, I want you to know thatyou have gone too far. You've got to pay damages, or we'll haveyou all locked up. "

"You've got to pay for my new suit of clothes, " said Ike Akley. "It is utterly ruined. "

"And my sweater, " said Dick Bush. 

"And I want to know where my shoes are?" put in Carl Dudder. "Andmy briar-root pipe and tobacco. "

"Yes, and my silver matchcase, and a whole lot of other things, "said Ham Spink. 

"Yes; and what right had you to make a roughhouse of our camp?"demanded another boy. 

"All of our stores are ruined, " put in still another. 

"It was mean to scatter that coffee in the mud!"

"And the sugar and beans!"

"Yes; and put the salt in the flour!"

So the talk ran on, the newcomers getting more and more excitedevery moment. They had their guns with them, and looked as if theymeant to do serious harm to our friends. 

"See here, what are you talking about?" asked the doctor's son atlast. "I can't make head or tail of it. " He realized thatsomething unusual had occurred. 

This brought forth another volley of accusations from the Spinkcrowd. Their camp had been "rough-housed" to the last degree, andmany things had been utterly ruined, while other articles weremissing. They were sure that Shep and his chums were guilty ofthe crime. 

"You are all wrong, " cried Snap. "We haven't been near your camp. "

"That's the truth, " added Shep. 

"I don't believe it, " cried Carl Dudder. 

"But it is true---every word of it, " came from Giant, and Whopperand Tommy said the same. 

"You've been there---and you have our things, " said Ike Akleydoggedly. 

"If you want to do so, you can search this camp, " said Shep. "But don't you harm any of our goods. "

"Do you mean to say you didn't come to our camp last night?" demandedHam. 

"I certainly do say it, " answered the doctor's son. "All we did wasto hide that boat, and we did that because we knew you wanted tohide ours. "

"Huh! How did you know that?"

"Because we heard you talking about it, on the way to the lake. "

"Well, if you didn't come to our camp last night, who did?" askedDick Bush. He was commencing to realize that a mistake had beenmade. 

"Don't ask me, " answered Snap. "But, honor bright, we weren't nearyour camp, Dick. "

"Maybe it was the chimpanzee!" cried Tommy. 

"Eh?" queried Ham. 

In a few brief words the Spink crowd were told of what had happenedat the cabin, at the cliff, and at the lake shore. No mentionwas made of the capture of the lion. 

"We think it was the chimpanzee, " said Snap. "But we may bemistaken---it may be a crazy man. "

More talk followed, and in the end Snap and his chums agreed to visitthe wrecked camp and take a look around. They left Tommy in chargeof their own camp and warned him to keep strict guard. 

It was a walk of half a mile, and the boys covered it in less thanhalf an hour. Snap was in advance, with Ham by his side. Ham stillthought our friends guilty of what had occurred. 

"Here's our camp---or what's left of it, " said Ham as they came tothe clearing. "Now, if you-----"

He stopped short and gazed ahead, with eyes bulging from his head. Snap gave a yell. 

"Boys, here he is! The chimpanzee, and he's having a high old time!"

All of the others rushed forward, and saw a sight that filled somewith rage and others with laughter. Sure enough, Abe, the educatedchimpanzee, was there, and was evidently having the time of hislife. He had on a highly-colored dress shirt, a cap and one shoe, and was amusing himself by tearing a hunting suit belonging to Haminto shreds. 

"The chimpanzee, sure enough!"

"Look what he is doing!"

"Shoot him! Shoot the rascal!"

So the cries rang out. The chimpanzee looked up in alarm. Then, asseveral guns were raised, he leaped out of sight behind some bushesand went off, chattering wildly as he disappeared. 

CHAPTER XXX

GOOD-BY TO THE BOY HUNTERS

"I'll kill that monkey!" roared Ham as he ran into the camp andpicked up his ruined clothing. "Look at this!"

"And this!" added Carl Dudder, snatching up the remains of hissleeping blanket. 

"It was the chimpanzee, sure enough, " said Dick Bush. 

"Come on after him!" exclaimed Shep. "Remember the reward, " hewhispered to his chums. 

All presently made off after the chimpanzee. They kept in a bunchat first, but gradually separated, the Spink crowd going one wayand Snap and his chums in another. 

"I'm glad we caught sight of him as we did, " said Whopper. "Nowthose fellows know we were not guilty of the rough-housing. "

"It certainly was rough, " was Giant's comment. "Three-quarters oftheir things are ruined. "

"Perhaps they can hold the circus proprietor responsible, " said thedoctor's son. 

They moved forward for nearly a quarter of a mile, and were onthe point of giving up the search and returning to camp when Giantcaught sight of a small, cave-like opening on the mountain side. 

"Let's look in there, " he said. "See, there is a vest on theground in front of it!"

"Be careful---the chimpanzee may be dangerous!" warned Snap. 

They hurried forward, with eyes and ears on the alert. Giantlooked into the opening. 

"No monkey here, " he announced. "But he has been here. Look!"

And much to Snap's delight he held up the missing camera. Thenhe ran into the cave and came forth with Shep's watch, and a numberof trinkets taken from the Spink camp. 

"He must have come here after he left the old cabin, " said Snap. "See, there is some food. He must have gotten that last night, whenhe raided Spink's place. "

They took with them all the things to be found, and then madeanother search for the chimpanzee. But they could not locate themarauding creature, and so turned their steps toward their camp. 

"Well, we've got a few of those others fellows' things for them, "said Whopper. "We can return them after dinner. "

"The camera is O. K. , " said Snap, after an examination. 

"And so is the watch, " came from the doctor's son. 

"And to think it was only a chimpanzee, after all!" cried Giant. 

"'Only' is good!" exclaimed Shep. "He's had enough for anybody, I'm thinking!"

As they came closer to their camp they heard Tommy talking in aloud voice to somebody. Wags was barking gaily. 

"Now you sit still and behave yourself, " the circus boy was saying. "Then you'll get a fine lump of sugar. "

"Talking to the dog, I suppose, " said Whopper. "He thinks Wags-----No, he isn't, either. Well, I never! If this doesn't beat anythingI ever saw!"

All came into the clearing and gazed in amazement at the sightpresented. Chained to a tree was Abe, the chimpanzee, smiling andchattering, and in front of him were Tommy and the dog, the formerwith some sugar in his hand. 

"Hullo!" cried Snap. "Did you catch him?"

"I certainly did!" answered the circus boy. "But I had the timeof my life doing it. He ran up a tree, and he wouldn't come downuntil I offered him a handful of those nuts I found yesterday. Theywere too much of a temptation, and while I fed him nuts with onehand I took the kettle chain and tied him up as you see. "

"Good for you!" said Whopper. "He must have known you, or I guesshe would have run away. "

"Yes, he started to run away, but I whistled like his keeper usedto whistle, and that made him sit still. "

"You want to make sure of that chain, " said the doctor's son. "I seehe has Snap's belt on, " he added with a grin. 

"I'll tie him with a rope, " answered Tommy, and later the chimpanzeewas firmly secured, so that escape was out of the question. Asthe young hunters fed him well, he seemed quite content. 

"Tommy, this is an important capture for you, " said Shep. "It'smoney in your pocket. The circus proprietor has offered fivehundred dollars reward for the capture of this chimpanzee. "

"Five hundred dollars!" gasped the little fellow. "But they won'tpay it to me!" he added, as his face fell. 

"We'll make them pay---if they want the animal, " answered Snap. 

"But I don't want them to see me, " insisted Tommy. 

"See here, Tommy, you leave this matter to us, " said the doctor'sson. "I don't think they can compel you to go with the circus. We'll take you to Fairview, and you can remain with us until wehear from your sister. "

"All right; but if they take me I'll run away again, " answeredthe boy. 

A little later the Spink crowd came into camp and were astonishedto learn of the capture of the chimpanzee. They were glad to getback the things that had been found, but declared that so manyother articles had been ruined they would have to give up theirouting. 

"Let's be generous to them, " whispered Shep to his chums. "Idon't think we want to stay after the circus people come for thelion and the chimpanzee. " And after some talking the young huntersoffered the Spink crowd part of their food supplies and a few otherthings. This surprised Ham, Carl and the rest. They accepted theoffer on the spot, and a better feeling prevailed between the boysthan had for many months. 

"It's very nice of you to do this, " said Dick Bush. "I shan'tforget it. "

"I'm sorry I accused you of ruining the camp, " came from Ham. 

"So am I, " added Carl. "But---well, you know how it was. "

"We'll let bygones be bygones, " said the doctor's son. "It'sbetter to be friends than enemies. "

"I---I suppose so, " said Ham humbly, and then he and his croniestook their departure. 

The young hunters watched out for the reappearance of Jed Sanborn, Snap and Shep going to Firefly Lake for that purpose. Two dayslater they saw the old hunter coming to the shore with a bigflat-bottomed boat, containing four men. The men were from thecircus and said they had come for the captured lion. 

"We want to make sure of that reward, " said the doctor's son. 

"All right, young man, turn the lion over to us and the moneyis yours, " said one of the men. "But we'll want a receipt fromall the boys who captured the beast. "

"You'll get that, " said Snap. "You offered a reward for thechimpanzee, too, didn't you?"

"Certainly; five hundred dollars. "

"Well, we've got him, too. "

"You have? How did you do it?" asked the man, and very briefly Snaprelated the tale, but did not give Tommy's name. 

"That boy is in luck, for the half thousand is his, " said thecircus man. "Glad you got Abe, " he added. "He is a great drawing-cardand worth a dozen lions to us. "

A visit was made to the lion pit, and after a good deal of troublethe lion was brought to the surface of the ground and chainedand muzzled. One of the men knew the beast well and had littletrouble in walking the lion to the lake shore, where he was chainedto a tree, and left in charge of one of the party. 

The circus men were vastly surprised when they learned that it wasTommy who had captured the chimpanzee. At first they did not thinkthey ought to pay the lad the reward, but Shep told them they couldnot have Abe unless they did so. 

"A bargain is a bargain, " said the doctor's son. "You'll nottouch the chimpanzee unless you pay up. "

The matter was argued hotly, but in the end the circus men gavein, and two checks were made out, both payable to Dr. Reed, andthe boys signed the receipts. Then the circus men took the chimpanzee, and walked down to the lake shore. 

"Guess you don't want Tommy any more, " cried Shep after them. 

"No; we've got another kid to take his place, " answered one ofthe men. 

"They'll have their hands full getting that lion and the chimpanzeeto town, " said Snap, and he was right. But the work was accomplishedby the next day, and the pair were shipped on to the circus by train. 

The young hunters remained in camp forty-eight hours longer, andthen packed up and moved down to Firefly Lake. Just previous togoing they let the Spink crowd have some more of their things, for which the other lads were extremely grateful. 

"Guess we better be friends after this, " said Ham Spink. "It doesn'tpay to be on the outs. "

"It doesn't, " answered Shep readily. 

On the return to Fairview the boy hunters camped out three nights, and shot a variety of small game and also a deer. They took thelatter home and also the skin of the bear, which was afterward curedand is now on the floor of the Dodge parlor. "

"You have done exceedingly well, " said Dr. Reed, when he had heardtheir story and gone over their films and plates and pictures. "These will make a grand collection, and are just what we wantedfor advertising purposes. "

The money obtained for the capture of the lion was divided amongthe four boy hunters, and the amount received for the chimpanzeewas placed to Tommy's credit by the doctor, and the former circusboy went to live with the Reed family for the time being. Severalletters were sent to Tommy's missing sister, and at last word cameback from her. She had married a storekeeper who was rich, and sheasked that Tommy come to live with her. 

"My, but that's grand!" cried Tommy. "Now I'll have a good home. "

"I'm mighty glad of it, " said Shep, and the other lads said thesame. Later they received letters from Tommy stating that hissister and his brother-in-law treated him well and were going togive him a fine education. 

"Well, it was a great outing, " said Snap, one day, when the boyhunters were talking it over. 

"We'll have to go out again some day, " said Whopper. 

"School for ours!" cried the doctor's son. 

"Right you are, " came from Giant. "But, say, we had a dandy time, didn't we?"

"So we did!" cried all the others; and here we will leave the fourboy hunters and say good-by. 

THE END