FRANK AND ARCHIE SERIES

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FRANKTHE YOUNG NATURALIST

BY

HARRY CASTLEMON, AUTHOR OF "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES, ""THE GO-AHEAD SERIES, " ETC. 

1892

[Illustration]

THE GUN-BOAT SERIES. 

 FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST, FRANK ON A GUN-BOAT, FRANK IN THE WOODS, FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE, FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG, FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. 

 CONTENTS. 

 CHAPTER I. THE HOME OF THE YOUNG NATURALIST

 CHAPTER II. AN UGLY CUSTOMER

 CHAPTER III. THE MUSEUM

 CHAPTER IV. A RACE ON THE WATER

 CHAPTER V. A FISHING EXCURSION

 CHAPTER VI. THE REGULATORS

 CHAPTER VII. THE REVENGE

 CHAPTER VIII. HOW TO SPEND THE "FOURTH"

 CHAPTER IX. THE COAST-GUARDS OUTWITTED

 CHAPTER X. A QUEER COURSE

 CHAPTER XI. TROUT-FISHING

 CHAPTER XII. A DUCK-HUNT ON THE WATER

 CHAPTER XIII. A 'COON-HUNT

 CHAPTER XIV. BILL LAWSON'S REVENGE

 CHAPTER XV. WILD GEESE

 CHAPTER XVI. A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS

 CHAPTER XVII. THE GRAYHOUND OUTGENERALED

FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 

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CHAPTER I. 

THE HOME OF THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 

About one hundred miles north of Augusta, the Capital of Maine, thelittle village of Lawrence is situated. A range of high hills skirtsits western side, and stretches away to the north as far as the eyecan reach; while before the village, toward the east, flows theKennebec River. 

Near the base of the hills a beautiful stream, known as Glen's Creek, has its source; and, after winding through the adjacent meadows, andreaching almost around the village, finally empties into the Kennebec. Its waters are deep and clear, and flow over a rough, gravelly bed, and under high banks, and through many a little nook where the perchand sunfish love to hide. This creek, about half a mile from itsmouth, branches off, forming two streams, the smaller of which flowssouth, parallel with the river for a short distance, and finallyempties into it. This stream is known as Ducks' Creek, and it is veryappropriately named; for, although it is but a short distance from thevillage, every autumn, and until late in the spring, its waters arefairly alive with wild ducks, which find secure retreats among thehigh bushes and reeds which line its banks. The island formed by thesetwo creeks is called Reynard's Island, from the fact that for severalyears a sly old fox had held possession of it in spite of the effortsof the village boys to capture him. The island contains, perhaps, twenty-five acres, and is thickly covered with hickory-trees; andthere is an annual strife between the village boys and the squirrels, to see which can gather the greater quantity of nuts. 

Directly opposite the village, near the middle of the river, isanother island, called Strawberry Island, from the great quantity ofthat fruit which it produces. 

The fishing-grounds about the village are excellent. The river affordsgreat numbers of perch, black bass, pike, and muscalonge; and thenumberless little streams that intersect the country fairly swarm withtrout, and the woods abound in game. This attracts sportsmen fromother places; and the _Julia Burton_, the little steamer that plies upand down the river, frequently brings large parties of amateurhunters and fishermen, who sometimes spend months enjoying the raresport. 

It was on the banks of Glen's Creek, about half a mile from thevillage, in a neat little cottage that stood back from the road, andwhich was almost concealed by the thick shrubbery and trees thatsurrounded it, that FRANK NELSON, the young naturalist, lived. Hisfather had been a wealthy merchant in the city of Boston; and, afterhis death, Mrs. Nelson had removed into the country with her children, and bought the place of which we are speaking. Frank was a handsome, high-spirited boy, about sixteen years of age. He was kind, open-hearted, and generous; and no one in the village had more friendsthan he. But his most prominent characteristic was perseverance. Hewas a slow thinker, and some, perhaps, at first sight, would havepronounced him "dull;" but the unyielding application with which hedevoted himself to his studies, or to any thing else he undertook, overcame all obstacles; and he was further advanced, and his knowledgewas more thorough than that of any other boy of the same age in thevillage. He never gave up any thing he undertook because he found itmore difficult than he had expected, or hurried over it in a"slipshod" manner, for his motto was, "Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. "

At the time of which we write Frank was just entering upon what hecalled a "long vacation. " He had attended the high-school of which thevillage boasted for nearly eight years, with no intermission but thevacations, and during this time he had devoted himself with untiringenergy to his studies. He loved his books, and they were his constantcompanions. By intense application he succeeded in working his wayinto the highest class in school, which was composed of young men mucholder than himself, and who looked upon him, not as a fellow-student, but as a rival, and used every exertion to prevent him from keepingpace with them. But Frank held his own in spite of their efforts, andnot unfrequently paid them back in their own coin by committing hislessons more thoroughly than they. 

Things went on so for a considerable time. Frank, whose highestambition was to be called the best scholar in his class, kept steadilygaining ground, and one by one the rival students were overtaken anddistanced. But Frank had some smart scholars matched against him, andhe knew that the desired reputation was not to be obtained without afierce struggle; and every moment, both in and out of school, wasdevoted to study. 

He had formerly been passionately fond of rural sports, hunting andfishing, but now his fine double-barrel gun, which he had always takenespecial care to keep in the best possible "shooting order, " hung inits accustomed place, all covered with dust. His fishing-rod andbasket were in the same condition; and Bravo, his fine hunting-dog, which was very much averse to a life of inactivity, made use of hismost eloquent whines in vain. 

At last Frank's health began to fail rapidly. His mother was the firstto notice it, and at the suggestion of her brother, who lived inPortland, she decided to take Frank out of school for at least oneyear, and allow him but two hours each day for study. Perhaps some ofour young readers would have been very much pleased at the thought ofso long a respite from the tiresome duties of school; but it was asevere blow to Frank. A few more months, he was confident, would havecarried him ahead of all competitors. But he always submitted to hismother's requirements, no matter how much at variance with his ownwishes, without murmuring; and when the spring term was ended he tookhis books under his arm, and bade a sorrowful farewell to hismuch-loved school-room. 

It is June, and as Frank has been out of school almost two months, things begin to wear their old, accustomed look again. The youngnaturalist's home, as his schoolmates were accustomed to say, is a"regular curiosity shop. " Perhaps, reader, if we take a stroll aboutthe premises, we can find something to interest us. 

Frank's room, which he called his "study, " is in the south wing of thecottage. It has two windows, one looking out toward the road, and theother covered with a thick blind of climbing roses, which almost shutout the light. A bookcase stands beside one of the windows, and if youwere to judge from the books it contained, you would pronounce Frankquite a literary character. The two upper shelves are occupied bymiscellaneous books, such as Cooper's novels, Shakspeare's works, andthe like. On the next two shelves stand Frank's choicestbooks--natural histories; there are sixteen large volumes, and heknows them almost by heart. The drawers in the lower part of the caseare filled on one side with writing materials, and on the other withold compositions, essays, and orations, some of which exhibit a powerof imagination and a knowledge of language hardly to be expected in aboy of Frank's age. On the top of the case, at either end, stand thebusts of Clay and Webster, and between them are two relics ofRevolutionary times, a sword and musket crossed, with the words"Bunker Hill" printed on a slip of paper fastened to them. On theopposite side of the room stands a bureau, the drawers of which arefilled with clothing, and on the top are placed two beautifulspecimens of Frank's handiwork. One is a model of a "fore-and-aft"schooner, with whose rigging or hull the most particular tar could notfind fault. The other represents a "scene at sea. " It is inclosed in abox about two feet long and a foot and a half in hight. One side ofthe box is glass, and through it can be seen two miniature vessels. The craft in the foreground would be known among sailors as a "Jack. "She is neither a brig nor a bark, but rather a combination of both. She is armed, and the cannon can be seen protruding from herport-holes. Every sail is set, and she seems to be making greatexertion to escape from the other vessel, which is following close inher wake. The flag which floats at her peak, bearing the sign of the"skull and cross-bones, " explains it all: the "Jack" is a pirate; andyou could easily tell by the long, low, black hull, and tall, rakingmasts that her pursuer is a revenue cutter. The bottom of the box, towhich the little vessels are fastened in such a manner that theyappear to "heel" under the pressure of their canvas, is cut out inlittle hollows, and painted blue, with white caps, to resemble thewaves of the ocean; while a thick, black thunder-cloud, which ispainted on the sides of the box, and appears to be rising rapidly, with the lightning playing around its ragged edges, adds greatly tothe effect of the scene. 

At the north end of the room stands a case similar to the one in whichFrank keeps his books, only it is nearly twice as large. It is filledwith stuffed "specimens"--birds, nearly two hundred in number. Thereare bald eagles, owls, sparrows, hawks, cranes, crows, a number ofdifferent species of ducks, and other water-fowl; in short, almostevery variety of the feathered creation that inhabited the woodsaround Lawrence is here represented. 

At the other end of the room stands a bed concealed by curtains. Before it is a finely carved wash-stand, on which are a pitcher andbowl, and a towel nicely folded lies beside them. In the corner, atthe foot of the bed, is what Frank called his "sporting cabinet. " Aframe has been erected by placing two posts against the wall, aboutfour feet apart; and three braces, pieces of board about six incheswide, and long enough to reach from one post to the other, arefastened securely to them. On the upper brace a fine jointedfish-pole, such as is used in "heavy" fishing, protected by a neat, strong bag of drilling, rests on hooks which have been driven securelyinto the frame; and from another hook close by hangs a largefish-basket which Frank, who is a capital fisherman, has often broughtin filled with the captured denizens of the river or some favoritetrout-stream. On the next lower brace hang a powder-flask andshot-pouch and a double-barrel shot-gun, the latter protected from thedamp and dust by a thick, strong covering. On the lower brace hang theclothes the young naturalist always wears when he goes hunting orfishing--a pair of sheep's-gray pantaloons, which will resist waterand dirt to the last extremity, a pair of long boots, a blueflannel-shirt, such as is generally worn by the sailors, and anIndia-rubber coat and cap for rainy weather. A shelf has been fastenedover the frame, and on this stands a tin box, which Frank calls his"fishing-box. " It is divided into apartments, which are filled withfish-hooks, sinkers, bobbers, artificial flies, spoon-hooks, reels, and other tackle, all kept in the nicest order. 

Frank had one sister, but no brothers. Her name was Julia. She was tenyears of age; and no boy ever had a lovelier sister. Like her brother, she was unyielding in perseverance, but kind and trusting indisposition, willing to be told her faults that she might correctthem. Mrs. Nelson was a woman of good, sound sense; always requiredimplicit obedience of her children; never flattered them, nor allowedothers to do so if she could prevent it. The only other inmate of thehouse was Aunt Hannah, as the children called her. She had formerlybeen a slave in Virginia, and, after years of toil, had succeeded inlaying by sufficient money to purchase her freedom. We have alreadyspoken of Frank's dog; but were we to allow the matter to drop here itwould be a mortal offense in the eyes of the young naturalist, forBravo held a very prominent position in his affections. He was apure-blooded Newfoundland, black as jet, very active and courageous, and there was nothing in the hunting line that he did not understand;and it was a well-established saying among the young Nimrods of thevillage, that Frank, with Bravo's assistance, could kill moresquirrels in any given time than any three boys in Lawrence. 

CHAPTER II. 

An Ugly Customer. 

Directly behind the cottage stands a long, low, neatly constructedbuilding, which is divided by partitions into three rooms, of whichone is used as a wood-shed, another for a carpenter's shop, and thethird is what Frank calls his "museum. " It contains stuffed birds andanimals, souvenirs of many a well-contested fight. Let us go andexamine them. About the middle of the building is the door which leadsinto the museum, and, as you enter, the first object that catches youreye is a large wild-cat, crouched on a stand which is elevated aboutfour feet above the floor, his back arched, every hair in his bodysticking toward his head, his mouth open, displaying a frightful arrayof teeth, his ears laid back close to his head, and his sharp clawsspread out, presenting altogether a savage appearance; and you areglad that you see him dead and stuffed, and not alive and running atliberty in the forest in the full possession of strength. But theyoung naturalist once stood face to face with this ugly customer undervery different circumstances. 

About forty miles north of Lawrence lives an old man named JosephLewis. He owns about five hundred acres of land, and in summer he"farms it" very industriously; but as soon as the trapping seasonapproaches he leaves his property to the care of his hired men, andspends most of the time in the woods. About two-thirds of his farm isstill in its primeval state, and bears, wild-cats, and panthers aboundin great numbers. The village boys are never more delighted than whenthe winter vacation comes, and they can gain the permission of theirparents to spend a fortnight with "Uncle Joe, " as they call him. 

The old man is always glad to see them, and enlivens the long winterevenings with many a thrilling story of his early life. During thewinter that had just passed, Frank, in company with his cousin ArchieWinters, of whom more hereafter, paid a visit to Uncle Joe. One cold, stormy morning, as they sat before a blazing fire, crackinghickory-nuts, the farmer burst suddenly into the house, which wasbuilt of logs, and contained but one room, and commenced taking downhis rifle. 

"What's the matter, Uncle Joe?" inquired Archie. 

"Matter!" repeated the farmer; "why, some carnal varmint got into mysheep-pen last night, and walked off with some of my mutton. Come, " hecontinued, as he slung on his bullet-pouch, "let's go and shoot him. "

Frank and Archie were ready in a few minutes; and, after dropping acouple of buck-shot into each barrel of their guns, followed thefarmer out to the sheep-pen. It was storming violently, and it waswith great difficulty that they could find the "varmint's" track. After half an hour's search, however, with the assistance of thefarmer's dogs, they discovered it, and began to follow it up, the dogsleading the way. But the snow had fallen so deep that it almostcovered the scent, and they frequently found themselves at fault. After following the track for two hours, the dogs suddenly stopped ata pile of hemlock-boughs, and began to whine and scratch as if theyhad discovered something. 

"Wal, " said Uncle Joe, dropping his rifle into the hollow of his arm, "the hounds have found some of the mutton, but the varmint has tookhimself safe off. "

The boys quickly threw aside the boughs, and in a few moments themangled remains of one of the sheep were brought to light. The thiefhad probably had more than enough for one meal, and had hidden thesurplus carefully away, intending, no doubt, to return and make ameal of it when food was not quite so plenty. 

"Wal, boys, " said the farmer, "no use to try to foller the varmint anyfurther. Put the sheep back where you found it, and this afternoon youcan take one of your traps and set it so that you can ketch him whenhe comes back for what he has left. " So saying, he shouldered hisrifle and walked off, followed by his hounds. 

In a few moments the boys had placed every thing as they had found itas nearly as possible, and hurried on after the farmer. 

That afternoon, after disposing of an excellent dinner, Frank andArchie started into the woods to set a trap for the thief. They tookwith them a large wolf-trap, weighing about thirty pounds. It was a"savage thing, " as Uncle Joe said, with a powerful spring on eachside, which severely taxed their united strength in setting it; andits thick, stout jaws, which came together with a noise like thereport of a gun, were armed with long, sharp teeth; and if a wolf orpanther once got his foot between them, he might as well give upwithout a struggle. Instead of their guns, each shouldered an ax. Frank took possession of the trap, and Archie carried a piece of heavychain with which to fasten the "clog" to the trap. Half an hour's walkbrought them to the place where the wild-cat had buried his plunder. After considerable exertion they succeeded in setting the trap, andplaced it in such a manner that it would be impossible for any animalto get at the sheep without being caught. The chain was them fastenedto the trap, and to this was attached the clog, which was a long, heavy limb. Trappers, when they wish to take such powerful animals asthe bear or panther, always make use of the clog. They never fastenthe trap to a stationary object. When the animal finds that he iscaught, his first impulse is to run. The clog is not heavy enough tohold him still, but as he drags it through the woods, it iscontinually catching on bushes and frees, and retarding his progress. But if the animal should find himself unable to move at all, his long, sharp teeth would be put to immediate use, and he would hobble off onthree feet, leaving the other in the trap. 

After adjusting the clog to their satisfaction, they threw a fewhandfuls of snow over the trap and chain, and, after bestowing a fewfinishing touches, they shouldered their axes and started toward thehouse. The next morning, at the first peep of day, Frank and Archiestarted for the woods, with their dogs close at their heels. As theyapproached the spot where the trap had been placed they held theirguns in readiness, expecting to find the wild-cat secure. But theywere disappointed; every thing was just as they had left it, andthere were no signs of the wild-cat having been about during thenight. Every night and morning for a week they were regular in theirvisits to the trap, but not even a twig had been moved. Two weeks morepassed, and during this time they visited the trap but once. At lengththe time allotted for their stay at Uncle Joe's expired. On theevening previous to the day set for their departure, as they satbefore the huge, old-fashioned fireplace, telling stories and eatingnuts. Uncle Joe suddenly inquired, "Boys, did you bring in your trapthat you set for that wild-cat?"

They had not thought of it; they had been hunting nearly every day, enjoying rare sport, and they had entirely forgotten that they had atrap to look after. 

"We shall be obliged to let it go until to-morrow, " said Frank. 

And the next morning, as soon as it was light, he was up and dressed, and shouldering an ax, set out with Brave as a companion, leavingArchie in a sound sleep. It was very careless in him not to take hisgun--a "regular boy's trick, " as Uncle Joe afterward remarked; but itdid not then occur to him that he was acting foolishly; and he trudgedoff, whistling merrily. A few moments' rapid walking brought him tothe place where the trap had been set. How he started! There lay theremains of the sheep all exposed. The snow near it was saturated withblood, and the trap, clog, and all were gone. What was he to do? Hewas armed with an ax, and he knew that with it he could make but apoor show of resistance against an enraged wild animal; and he knew, too, that one that could walk off with fifty pounds fast to his legwould be an ugly customer to handle. He had left Brave some distanceback, digging at a hole in a stump where a mink had taken refuge, andhe had not yet come up. If the Newfoundlander had been by his side hewould have felt comparatively safe. Frank stood for some minutesundecided how to act. Should he go back to the house and getassistance? Even if he had concluded to do so he would not haveconsidered himself a coward; for, attacking a wounded wild-cat in thewoods, with nothing but an ax to depend on, was an undertaking thatwould have made a larger and stronger person than Frank hesitate. Their astonishing activity and strength, and wonderful tenacity oflife, render them antagonists not to be despised. Besides, Frank wasbut a boy, and although strong and active for his age, and possessinga good share of determined courage that sometimes amounted almost torashness, it must be confessed that his feelings were not of the mostenviable nature. He had not yet discovered the animal, but he knewthat he could not be a great distance off, for the weight of the trapand clog would retard him exceedingly; and he judged, from theappearance of things, that he had not been long in the trap; perhaps, at that very moment, his glaring eyes were fastened upon him from someneighboring thicket. 

But the young naturalist was not one to hesitate long because therewas difficulty or danger before him. He had made up his mind from thefirst to capture that wild-cat if possible, and now the opportunitywas fairly before him. His hand was none of the steadiest as he drewoff his glove and placed his fingers to his lips; and the whistle thatfollowed was low and tremulous, very much unlike the loud, clear callwith which he was accustomed to let Brave know that he was wanted andhe hardly expected that the dog would hear it. A faint, distant bark, however, announced that the call had been heard, and in a few momentsFrank heard Brave's long-measured bounds as he dashed through thebushes; and when the faithful animal came in sight, he felt that hehad a friend that would stand by him to the last extremity. At thisjuncture Frank was startled by a loud rattling in the bushes, and thenext moment the wild-cat sprang upon a fallen log, not half a dozenrods from the place where he was standing, and, growling fiercely, crouched and lashed his sides with his tail as if about to springtoward him. The trap hung from one of his hind-legs, but by some meanshe had relieved himself of the clog and chain, and he moved as if theweight of the trap were no inconvenience whatever. The youngnaturalist was frightened indeed, but bravely stood his ground, andclutched his ax desperately. What would he not have given to have hadhis trusty double-barrel in his hands! But he was not allowed muchtime for reflection. Brave instantly discovered the wild-cat, andsprang toward him, uttering an angry growl. Frank raised his ax andrushed forward to his assistance, and cheered on the dog with a voicewhich, to save his life, he could not raise above a whisper. Thewild-cat crouched lower along the log, and his actions seemed toindicate that he intended to show fight. Brave's long, eager boundsbrought him nearer and nearer to his enemy. A moment more and he couldhave seized him; but the wild-cat suddenly turned and sprang lightlyinto the air, and, catching his claws into a tree that stood fulltwenty feet distant, ascended it like a streak of light; and, aftersettling himself between two large limbs, glared down upon his foes asif he were already ashamed of having made a retreat, and had half amind to return and give them battle. Brave reached the log just amoment too late, and finding his enemy fairly out of his reach, hequietly seated himself at the foot of the tree and waited for Frank tocome up. 

"Good gracious!" exclaimed the young naturalist, wiping his foreheadwith his coat-sleeve, (for the exciting scene through which he hadjust passed had brought the cold sweat from every pore in his body);"it is a lucky circumstance for you and me, Brave, that the varmintdid not stand and show fight. "

Then ordering the dog to "sit down and watch him, " the youngnaturalist threw down his ax, and started toward the house for hisgun. He was still very much excited, fearful that the wild-cat mighttake it into his head to come down and give the dog battle, in whichcase he would be certain to escape; for, although Brave was a verypowerful and courageous dog, he could make but a poor show against thesharp teeth and claws of the wild-cat. The more Frank thought of it, the more excited he became, and the faster he ran. In a very fewmoments he reached the house, and burst into the room where Uncle Joeand Archie and two or three hired men sat at breakfast. Frank seemednot to notice them, but made straight across the room toward the placewhere his shot-gun hung against the wall, upsetting chairs in hisprogress, and creating a great confusion. 

"What in tarnation is the matter?" exclaimed the farmer, rising to hisfeet. 

"I've found the wild-cat, " answered Frank, in a scarcely audiblevoice. 

"What's that?" shouted Archie, springing to his feet, and upsettinghis chair and coffee-cup. 

But Frank could not wait to answer. One bound carried him across thefloor and out of the door, and he started across the field at the topof his speed, dropping a handful of buck-shot into each barrel of hisgun as he went. It was not until Frank had left the house that Archie, so to speak, came to himself. He had been so astonished at hiscousin's actions and the announcement that he had "found thewild-cat, " that he seemed to be deprived of action. But Frank had notmade a dozen steps from the house before Archie made a dash for hisgun, and occasioned a greater uproar than Frank had done; and, notstopping to hear the farmer's injunction to "be careful, " he dartedout the door, which Frank in his hurry had left open, and startedtoward the woods at a rate of speed that would have done credit to alarger boy than himself. But Frank gained rapidly on him; and when hereached the tree where the wild-cat had taken refuge, Archie was fulltwenty rods behind. He found that the animals had not changed theirpositions. The wild-cat was glaring fiercely down upon the dog as ifendeavoring to look him out of countenance; and Brave, seated on hishaunches, with his head turned on one side, and his tongue hanging outof the side of his mouth, was steadily returning the gaze. Frank tooka favorable position at a little distance from the foot of the tree, and cocking both barrels, so as to be ready for any emergency, in casethe first should not prove fatal, raised his gun to his shoulder, andglancing along the clean, brown tube, covered one of the wild-cat'seyes with the fatal sight, and pressed the trigger. There was a sharpreport, and the animal fell from his perch stone-dead. At this momentArchie came up. After examining their prize to their satisfaction, theboys commenced looking around through the bushes to find the clogwhich had been detached from the trap. After some moments' search theydiscovered it; and Archie unfastened the chain, and shouldering the axand guns, he started toward the house. Frank followed after, with thewild-cat on his shoulder, the trap still hanging to his leg. The skinwas carefully taken off; and when Archie and Frank got home, theystuffed it, and placed it as we now see it. 

CHAPTER III. 

The Museum. 

Let us now proceed to examine the other objects in the museum. A wideshelf, elevated about four feet above the floor, extends entirelyaround the room, and on this the specimens are mounted. On one side ofthe door stands a tall, majestic elk, with his head thrown forward, and his wide-spreading antlers lowered, as if he meant to dispute ourentrance. On the opposite side is a large black fox, which stands withone foot raised and his ears thrown forward, as if listening to somestrange sound. This is the same fox which so long held possession ofReynard's Island; and the young naturalist and his cousin were theones who succeeded in capturing him. The next two scenes are whatFrank calls his "masterpieces. " The first is a large buck, running fordear life, closely followed by a pack of gaunt, hungry wolves, five innumber, with their sharp-pointed ears laid back close to their heads, their tongues hanging out of their mouths, and their lips spotted withfoam The flanks of the buck are dripping with blood from wounds madeby their long teeth. In the next scene the buck is at bay. Almosttired out, or, perhaps, too closely pressed by his pursuers, he has atlength turned furiously upon them, to sell his life as dearly aspossible. Two of the wolves are lying a little distance off, wherethey have been tossed by the powerful buck, one dead, the otherdisabled; and the buck's sharp antlers are buried deep in the side ofanother, which had attempted to seize him. 

Well may Frank be proud of these specimens, for they are admirablyexecuted. The animals are neatly stuffed, and look so lifelike and thepositions are so natural, that you could almost fancy that you hearthe noise of the scuffle. The next scene represents an owl, which, while engaged in one of his nocturnal plundering expeditions, has beenovertaken by daylight, and not being able to reach his usualhiding-place, he has taken refuge in a clump of bushes, where he hasbeen discovered by a flock of his inveterate enemies, the crows. Theowl sits upon his perch, glaring around with his great eyes, while histormentors surround him on all sides, their mouths wide open, as ifreviling their enemy with all their might. The next scene represents aflock of ducks sporting in the water, and a sly old fox, concealedbehind the trunk of a tree close by, is watching their motions, evidently with the intention of "bagging" one of them for his supper. In the next scene he is running off, at full speed, with one of theducks thrown over his shoulder; and the others, with their mouths openas if quacking loudly, are just rising from the water. In the nextscene is a large black wolf, which has just killed a lamb, andcrouches over it with open mouth, as if growling fiercely at somethingwhich is about to interrupt his feast. The next scene represents afish-hawk, which has just risen from the lake, with a large troutstruggling in his talons; and just above him is a bald-eagle, with hiswings drawn close to his body, in the act of swooping down upon thefish-hawk, to rob him of his hard-earned booty. In the next scene araccoon is attempting to seize a robin, which he has frightened offher nest. The thief had crawled out on the limb on which the nest wasplaced, intending, no doubt, to make a meal of the bird; but motherRobin, ever on the watch, had discovered her enemy, and flown off justin time to escape. The next scene is a large "dead-fall" trap, nicelyset, with the bait placed temptingly within; and before it crouches asleek marten, peeping into it as if undecided whether to enter ornot. 

All these specimens have been cured and stuffed by Frank and Archie;and, with the exception of the deer and wolves, they had killed themall. The latter had been furnished by Archie's father. The boys hadnever killed a deer, and he had promised to take them, during thecoming winter with him up into the northern part of the state, wherethey would have an opportunity of trying their skill on the noblegame. 

But the museum is not the only thing that has given Frank the name ofthe "young naturalist. " He is passionately fond of pets, and he has apole shanty behind the museum, which he keeps well stocked withanimals and birds. In one cage he has a young hawk, which he has justcaptured; in another, a couple of squirrels, which have become so tamethat he can allow them to run about the shanty without the least fearof their attempting to escape. Then he has two raccoons, severalpigeons, kingbirds, quails, two young eagles, and a fox, allundergoing a thorough system of training. But his favorite pets are apair of kingbirds and a crow, which are allowed to run at large allthe time. They do not live on very good terms with each other. Intheir wild state they are enemies, and each seems to think the otherhas no business about the cottage; and Frank has been the unwillingwitness to many a desperate fight between them, in which the poorcrow always comes off second best. Then, to console himself, he willfly upon Frank's shoulder, cawing with all his might, as if scoldinghim for not lending some assistance. To make amends for his defeat, Frank gives him a few kernels of corn, and then shows him a hawksailing through the air; and Sam, as he calls the crow, is off in aninstant, and, after tormenting the hawk until he reaches the woods, hewill always return. 

Not a strange bird is allowed to come about the cottage. Thekingbirds, which have a nest in a tree close by the house, keep asharp look-out; and hawks, eagles, crows, and even those of their ownspecies, all suffer alike. But now and then a spry little wren pays avisit to the orchard, and then there is sport indeed. The wren is agreat fighting character, continually getting into broils with theother birds, and he has no notion of being driven off; and, althoughthe kingbirds, with Sam's assistance, generally succeed in expellingthe intruder, it is only after a hard fight. 

Directly opposite the door that opens into the museum is anotherentrance, which leads into a room which Frank calls his shop. Awork-bench has been neatly fitted up in one corner, at the end ofwhich stands a large chest filled with carpenter's tools. On the benchare several half-finished specimens of Frank's skill--a jointedfish-pole, two or three finely-shaped hulls, and a miniature frigate, which he is making for one of his friends. The shop and tools are keptin the nicest order, and Frank spends every rainy day at his bench. 

The young naturalist is also a good sailor, and has the reputation ofunderstanding the management of a sail-boat as well as any other boyin the village. He has two boats, which are in the creek, tied to thewharf in front of the house. One of them is a light skiff, which hefrequently uses in going to and from the village and on his fishingexcursions, and the other is a scow, about twenty feet long and sixfeet wide, which he built himself. He calls her the Speedwell. He hasno sail-boat, but he has passed hour after hour trying to conjure upsome plan by which he might be enabled to possess himself of one. Sucha one as he wants, and as most of the village have, would cost fiftydollars. Already he has laid by half that amount; but how is he to getthe rest? He has begun to grow impatient. The yachting season has justopened; every day the river is dotted with white sails; trials ofspeed between the swiftest sailers come off almost every hour, and heis obliged to stand and look on, or content himself with rowing aroundin his skiff. It is true he has many friends who are always willing toallow him a seat in their boats, but that does not satisfy him. He hasdetermined to have a yacht of his own, if there is any honest way forhim to get it. For almost a year he has carefully laid aside everypenny, and but half the necessary sum has been saved. How to get theremainder is the difficulty. He never asks his mother for money; he istoo independent for that; besides, he has always been taught to relyon his own resources, and he has made up his mind that, if he can not_earn_ his boat, he will go without it. 

Three or four days after the commencement of our story, Frank mighthave been seen, about five o'clock one pleasant morning, seated on thewharf in front of the house, with Brave at his side. The question howhe should get his boat had been weighing heavily upon his mind, and hehad come to the conclusion that something must be done, and thatspeedily. 

"Well, " he soliloquized, "my chance of getting a sail-boat this seasonis rather slim, I'm afraid. But I've made up my mind to have one, andI won't give it up now. Let me see! I wonder how the Sunbeam [meaninghis skiff] would sail? I mean to try her. No, " he added, on secondthought, "she couldn't carry canvas enough to sail with one of thevillage yachts. I have it!" he exclaimed at length, springing to hisfeet. "The Speedwell! I wonder if I couldn't make a sloop of her. Atany rate, I will get her up into my shop and try it. "

Frank, while he was paying a visit to his cousin in Portland, hadwitnessed a regatta, in which the Peerless, a large, schooner-riggedscow, had beaten the swiftest yachts of which the city boasted; and hesaw no reason why his scow could not do the same. The idea was nosooner conceived than he proceeded to put it into execution. He sprangup the bank, with Brave close at his heels, and in a few momentsdisappeared in the wood-shed. A large wheelbarrow stood in one cornerof the shed, and this Frank pulled from its place, and, after takingoff the sides, wheeled it down to the creek, and placed it on thebeach, a little distance below the wharf. He then untied thepainter--a long rope by which the scow was fastened to the wharf--anddrew the scow down to the place where he had left the wheelbarrow. Hestood for some moments holding the end of the painter in his hand, andthinking how he should go to work to get the scow, which was veryheavy and unwieldy, upon the wheelbarrow. But Frank was a true Yankee, and fruitful in expedients, and he soon hit upon a plan, which he wasabout putting into execution, when a strong, cheery voice called out:

"Arrah, me boy! What'll yer be after doing with the boat?"

Frank looked up and saw Uncle Mike, as the boys called him--agood-natured Irishman, who lived in a small rustic cottage not farfrom Mrs. Nelson's--coming down the bank. 

"Good morning, Uncle Mike, " said Frank, politely accepting theIrishman's proffered hand and shaking it cordially. "I want to getthis scow up to my shop; but I'm afraid it is a little too heavy forme to manage. "

"So it is, intirely, " said Mike, as he divested himself of his coat, and commenced rolling up his shirt-sleeves. "Allow me to lend yer ahelpin' hand. " And, taking the painter from Frank's hand, he drew thescow out of the water, high upon the bank. He then placed his strongarms under one side of the boat, and Frank took hold of the other, and, lifting together, they raised it from the ground, and placed itupon the wheelbarrow. "Now, Master Frank, " said Mike, "if you willtake hold and steady her, I'll wheel her up to the shop for you. "

Frank accordingly placed his hands upon the boat in such a manner thathe could keep her steady and assist Mike at the same time; and thelatter, taking hold of the "handles, " as he termed them, commencedwheeling her up the bank. The load was heavy, but Mike was a sturdyfellow, and the scow was soon at the door of the shop. Frank thenplaced several sticks of round wood, which he had brought out of thewood-shed, upon the ground, about three feet apart, to serve asrollers, and, by their united efforts, the Speedwell was placed uponher side on these rollers, and in a few moments was left bottom upwardon the floor of the shop. 

CHAPTER IV. 

A Race on the Water. 

A week passed, and the Speedwell again rode proudly at her moorings, in front of the cottage; but her appearance was greatly changed. A"center-board" and several handy lockers had been neatly fitted up inher, and her long, low hull painted black on the outside and white onthe inside; and her tall, raking mast and faultless rigging gave herquite a ship-like appearance. 

Frank had just been putting on a few finishing touches, and now stoodon the wharf admiring her. It was almost night, and consequently hecould not try her sailing qualities that day; and he was so impatientto discover whether or not he had made a failure, that it seemedimpossible for him to wait. 

While he was thus engaged, he heard the splashing of oars, and, looking up, discovered two boys rowing toward him in a light skiff Asthey approached, he recognized George and Harry Butler, two of hismost intimate acquaintances. They were brothers, and lived about aquarter of a mile from Mrs. Nelson's, but they and Frank were togetheralmost all the time. Harry, who was about a year older than Frank, wasa very impulsive fellow, and in a moment of excitement often said anddid things for which he felt sorry when he had time to think thematter over; but he was generous and good-hearted, and if he foundthat he had wronged any one, he never failed to make ample reparation. George, who was just Frank's age, was a jolly, good-natured boy, andwould suffer almost any indignity rather than retaliate. 

"Well, Frank, " said Harry, as soon as they came within speakingdistance, "George and I wanted a little exercise, so we thought wewould row up and see what had become of you. Why don't you come downand see a fellow? Hallo!" he exclaimed, on noticing the change in theSpeedwell's appearance, "what have you been trying to do with your oldscow?"

"Why, don't you see?" said Frank. "I've been trying to make a yachtout of her. "

"How does she sail?" inquired George. 

"I don't know. I have just finished her, and have not had time to tryher sailing qualities yet. "

"I don't believe she will sail worth a row of pins, " said Harry, confidently, as he drew the skiff alongside the Speedwell, and climbedover into her. "But I'll tell you what it is, " he continued, peepinginto the lockers and examining the rigging, "you must have had plentyof hard work to do in fixing her over. You have really made a niceboat out of her. "

"Yes, I call it a first-rate job, " said George. "Did you make thesails yourself, Frank?"

"Yes, " answered Frank. "I did all the work on her. She ought to be agood sailer, after all the trouble I've had. How would you like tospend an hour with me on the river to-morrow? You will then have anopportunity to judge for yourself. "

The boys readily agreed to this proposal, and, after a few moments'more conversation, they got into their skiff and pulled down thecreek. The next morning, about four o'clock, Frank awoke, and he hadhardly opened his eyes before he was out on the floor and dressing. Healways rose at this hour, both summer and winter; and he had been solong in the habit of it, that it had become a kind of second naturewith him. Going to the window, he drew aside the curtain and lookedout. The Speedwell rode safely at the wharf, gallantly mounting theswells which were raised by quite a stiff breeze that was blowingdirectly down the creek. He amused himself for about two hours in hisshop; and after he had eaten his breakfast, he began to get ready tostart on the proposed excursion. A large basket, filled withrefreshments, was carefully stowed away in one of the lockers of theSpeedwell, the sails were hoisted, the painter was cast off, and Franktook his seat at the helm, and the boat moved from the shore "like athing of life. " The creek was too narrow to allow of much maneuvering, and Frank was obliged to forbear judging of her sailing qualitiesuntil he should reach the river. But, to his delight, he soondiscovered one thing, and that was, that before the wind the Speedwellwas no mean sailer. A few moments' run brought him to Mr. Butler'swharf, where he found George and Harry waiting for him. Frank broughtthe Speedwell around close to the place where they were standing insplendid style, and the boys could not refrain from expressing theiradmiration at the handsome manner in which she obeyed her helm. Theyclambered down into the boat, and seated themselves on the middlethwarts, where they could assist Frank in managing the sails, and in afew moments they reached the river. 

"There comes Bill Johnson!" exclaimed George, suddenly, "just behindthe Long Dock. "

The boys looked in the direction indicated, and saw the top of themasts and sails of a boat which was moving slowly along on the otherside of the dock. 

"Now, Frank, " said Harry, "turn out toward the middle of the river, and get as far ahead of him as you can, and see if we can't reach theisland [meaning Strawberry Island] before he does. "

Frank accordingly turned the Speedwell's head toward the island, andjust at that moment the sail-boat came in sight. The Champion--forthat was her name--was classed among the swiftest sailers aboutLawrence; in fact, there was no sloop that could beat her. She was aclinker-built boat, about seventeen feet long, and her breadth ofbeam--that is, the distance across her from one side to the other--wasgreat compared with her length. She was rigged like Frank's boat, having one mast and carrying a mainsail and jib; but as her sails wereconsiderably larger than those of the Speedwell, and as she was a muchlighter boat, the boys all expected that she would reach the island, which the young skippers always regarded as "home" in their races, long before the Speedwell. The Champion was sailed by two boys. William Johnson, her owner, sat in the stern steering, and Ben. Lake, a quiet, odd sort of a boy, sat on one of the middle thwarts managingthe sails. As soon as she rounded the lock, Harry Butler sprang to hisfeet, and, seizing a small coil of rope that lay in the boat, calledout, "Bill! if you will catch this line, we'll tow you. "

"No, I thank you, " answered William. "I think we can get along verywell without any of your help. "

"Yes, " chimed in Ben. Lake, "and we'll catch you before you arehalf-way to the island. "

"We'll see about that!" shouted George, in reply. 

By this time the Speedwell was fairly before the wind, the sails werehauled taut, the boys seated themselves on the windward gunwale, andthe race began in earnest. But they soon found that it would be muchlonger than they had imagined. Instead of the slow, straining motionwhich they had expected, the Speedwell flew through the water like aduck, mounting every little swell in fine style, and rolling the foamback from her bow in great masses. She was, beyond a doubt, a fastsailer. 

George and Harry shouted and hurrahed until they were hoarse, andFrank was so overjoyed that he could scarcely speak. 

"How she sails!" exclaimed Harry. "If the Champion beats this, shewill have to go faster than she does now. "

Their pursuers were evidently much surprised at this sudden exhibitionof the Speedwell's "sailing qualities;" and William hauled more to thewind and "crowded" his boat until she stood almost on her side, andthe waves frequently washed into her. 

"They will overtake us, " said Frank, at length; "but I guess we cankeep ahead of them until we cross the river. "

And so it proved. The Champion began to gain--it was very slowly, butstill she did gain--and when the Speedwell had accomplished half thedistance across the river, their pursuers were not more than three orfour rods behind. 

At length they reached the island, and, as they rounded the point, they came to a spot where the wind was broken by the trees. TheSpeedwell gradually slackened her headway, and the Champion, whichcould sail much faster than she before a light breeze, gained rapidly, and soon came alongside. 

"There is only one fault with your boat, Frank, " said William; "hersails are too small. She can carry twice as much canvas as you havegot on her now. "

"Yes, " answered Frank, "I find that I have made a mistake; but thefact is, I did not know how she would behave, and was afraid she wouldcapsize. My first hard work shall be to make some new sails. "

"You showed us a clean pair of heels, any way, " said Ben. Lake, clambering over into the Speedwell. "Why, how nice and handy everything is! Every rope is just where you can lay your hand on it. "

"Let's go ashore and see how we are off for a crop of strawberries, "said Harry. 

William had pulled down his sails when he came alongside, and whilethe conversation was going on the Speedwell had been towing theChampion toward the island, and, just as Harry spoke, their bows ranhigh upon the sand. The boys sprang out, and spent two hours inroaming over the island in search of strawberries; but it was a littletoo early in the season for them, and, although there were "oceans" ofgreen ones, they gathered hardly a pint of ripe ones. 

After they had eaten the refreshments which Frank had brought withhim, they started for home. As the wind blew from the main shore, theywere obliged to "tack, " and the Speedwell again showed some finesailing, and when the Champion entered the creek, she was not astone's throw behind. 

Frank reached home that night a good deal elated at his success. Aftertying the Speedwell to the wharf, he pulled down the sails and carriedthem into his shop. He had promised, before leaving George and Harry, to meet them at five o'clock the next morning to start on a fishingexcursion, and, consequently, could do nothing toward the new sailsfor his boat for two days. 

CHAPTER V. 

A Fishing Excursion. 

Precisely at the time agreed upon, Frank might have been seen sittingon the wharf in front of Mr. Butler's house. In his hand he carried astout, jointed fish-pole, neatly stowed away in a strong bag ofdrilling, and under his left arm hung his fish-basket, suspended by abroad belt, which crossed his breast. In this he carried his hooks, reels, trolling-lines, dinner, and other things necessary for thetrip. Brave stood quietly by his side, patiently waiting for the wordto start. They were not obliged to wait long, for hasty steps soundedon the gravel walk that led up to the house, the gate swung open, andGeorge and Harry appeared, their arms filled with theirfishing-tackle. 

"You're on time, I see, " said Harry, as he climbed down into a largeskiff that was tied to the wharf, "Give us your fish-pole. "

Frank accordingly handed his pole and basket down to Harry, who stowedthem away in the boat. He and George then went into the boat-house, and one brought out a pair of oars and a sail, which they intended touse if the wind should be fair, and the other carried two pails ofminnows, which had been caught the night before, to serve as bait. 

They then got into the boat, and Frank took one oar and Harry theother, and Brave stationed himself at his usual place in the bow. George took the helm, and they began to move swiftly down the creektoward the river. About a quarter of a mile below the mouth of thecreek was a place, covering half an acre, where the water was aboutfour feet deep, and the bottom was covered with smooth, flat stones. This was known as the "black-bass ground, " and large numbers of thesefish were caught there every season. George turned the boat's headtoward this place, and, thrusting his hand into his pocket, drew out a"trolling-line, " and, dropping the hook into the water behind theboat, began to unwind the line. The trolling-hook (such as isgenerally used in fishing for black-bass) can be used only in a strongcurrent, or when the boat is in rapid motion through the water. Thehook is concealed by feathers or a strip of red flannel, and a pieceof shining metal in the shape of a spoon-bowl is fastened to it insuch a manner as to revolve around it when the hook is drawn rapidlythrough the water. This is fastened to the end of a long, stout line, and trailed over the stern of the boat, whose motion keeps it near thesurface. It can be seen for a great distance in the water, and thefish, mistaking it for their prey, dart forward and seize it. 

A few moments' pulling brought them to the bass ground, and George, holding the stick on which the line had been wound in his hand, waitedimpatiently for a "bite. " They had hardly entered the ground whenseveral heavy pulls at the line announced that the bait had beentaken. George jerked in return, and, springing to his feet, commencedhauling in the line hand over hand, while whatever was at the otherend jerked and pulled in a way that showed that he was unwilling toapproach the surface. The boys ceased rowing, and Frank exclaimed, "You've got a big one there, George. Don't give him any slack, oryou'll lose him. "

"Haul in lively, " chimed in Harry. "There he breaches!" he continued, as the fish--a fine bass, weighing, as near as they could guess, sixpounds--leaped entirely out of the water in his mad efforts to escape. "I tell you he's a beauty. "

Frank took up the "dip-net, " which the boys had used in catching theminnows, and, standing by George's side, waited for him to bring thefish within reach, so that he might assist in "landing" him. Thestruggle was exciting, but short. The bass was very soon exhausted, and George drew him alongside the boat, in which he was soon safelydeposited under one of the seats. 

They rowed around the ground for half an hour, each taking his turn atthe line, and during that time they captured a dozen fish. The bassthen began to stop biting; and Frank, who was at the helm, turned theboat toward the "perch-bed, " which was some distance further down theriver. It was situated at the outer edge of a bank of weeds, whichlined the river on both sides. The weeds sprouted from the bottom inthe spring, and by fall they reached the hight of four or five feetabove the surface of the water. They were then literally swarming withwild ducks; but at the time of which we write, as it was only thelatter part of June, they had not yet appeared above the water. Theperch-bed was soon reached, and Harry, who was pulling the bow-oar, rose to his feet, and, raising the anchor, which was a large stonefastened to the boat by a long, stout rope, lifted it over the side, and let it down carefully into the water. The boat swung around untilher bow pointed up stream, and the boys found themselves in the rightspot to enjoy a good day's sport. 

Frank, who was always foremost in such matters, had his pole riggedin a trice, and, baiting his hook with one of the minnows, dropped itinto the water just outside of the weeds. Half a dozen hungry perchinstantly rose to the surface, and one of them, weighing nearly apound, seized the bait and darted off with it, and the next moment wasdangling through the air toward the boat. 

"That's a good-sized fish, " said Harry, as he fastened his reel on hispole. 

"Yes, " answered Frank, taking his prize off the hook and throwing itinto the boat; "and we shall have fine sport for a little while. "

"But they will stop biting when the sun gets a little warmer; so wehad better make the most of our time, " observed George. 

By this time the other boys had rigged their poles, and soon two morelarge perch lay floundering in the boat. For almost two hours theyenjoyed fine sport, as Frank had said they would, and they were toomuch engaged to think of being hungry. But soon the fish began to stopbiting, and Harry, who had waited impatiently for almost five minutesfor a "nibble, " drew up his line and opened a locker in the stern ofthe boat, and, taking out a basket containing their dinner, was aboutto make an inroad on its contents, when he discovered a boat, rowed bya boy about his own age, shoot rapidly around a point that extendedfor a considerable distance out into the river, and turn toward thespot where they were anchored. 

"Boys, " he exclaimed, "here comes Charley Morgan!"

"Charley Morgan, " repeated Frank. "Who is he?"

"Why, he is the new-comer, " answered George. "He lives in the largebrick house on the hill. "

Charley Morgan had formerly lived in New York. His father was aspeculator, and was looked upon by some as a wealthy man; but it washinted by those who knew him best that if his debts were all paid hewould have but little ready money left. Be that as it may, Mr. Morganand his family, at any rate, lived in style, and seemed desirous ofoutshining all their neighbors and acquaintances. Becoming weary ofcity life, they had decided to move into the country, and, purchasinga fine village lot in Lawrence, commenced building a house upon it. Although the village could boast of many fine dwellings, the one onTower Hill, owned by Mr. Morgan, surpassed them all, and, as is alwaysthe case in such places, every one was eager to discover who was tooccupy the elegant mansion. When the house was completed, Mr. Morganreturned to New York to bring on his family, leaving three or four"servants, " as he called them, to look after his affairs; and theJulia Burton landed at the wharf, one pleasant morning, a splendidopen carriage, drawn by a span of jet-black horses. The carriagecontained Mr. Morgan and his family, consisting of his wife and oneson--the latter about seventeen years old. At the time of hisintroduction to the reader they had been in the village about a week. Charles, by his haughty, overbearing manner, had already driven awayfrom him the most sensible of the village boys who had becomeacquainted with him; but there are those every-where who seem, by somestrange fatality, to choose the most unworthy of their acquaintancesfor their associates; and there were several boys in Lawrence wholooked upon Charles as a first-rate fellow and a very desirablecompanion. 

George and Harry, although they had frequently seen the "new-comer, "had not had an opportunity to get acquainted with him; and Frank who, as we have said, lived in the outskirts of the village, and who hadbeen very busy at work for the last week on his boat, had not seen himat all. 

"What sort of a boy is he?" inquired the latter, continuing theconversation which we have so unceremoniously broken off. 

"I don't know, " replied Harry. "Some of the boys like him, but Ben. Lake says he's the biggest rascal in the village. He's got two orthree guns, half a dozen fish-poles, and, by what I hear the boyssay, he must be a capital sportsman. But he tells the most ridiculousstories about what he has done. "

By this time Charles had almost reached them, and, when he camealongside, he rested on his oars and called out, "Well, boys, how many fish have you caught?"

"So many, " answered George, holding up the string, which containedover a hundred perch and black-bass. "Have you caught any thing?"

"Not much to brag of, " answered Charles; "I hooked up a few littleperch just behind the point. But that is a tip-top string of yours. "

"Yes, pretty fair, " answered Harry. "You see we know where to go. "

"That does make some difference, " said Charles. "But as soon as I knowthe good places, I'll show you how to catch fish. "

"We will show you the good fishing-grounds any time, " said George. 

"Oh, I don't want any of your help. I can tell by the looks of a placewhether there are any fish to be caught or not. But you ought to seethe fishing-grounds we have in New York, " he continued. "Why, many atime I've caught three hundred in less than half an hour, and some ofthem would weigh ten pounds. "

"Did you catch them with a hook and line?" inquired George. 

"Of course I did! What else should I catch them with? I should like tosee one of you trying to handle a ten or fifteen-pound fish withnothing but a trout-pole. "

"Could you do it?" inquired Harry, struggling hard to suppress alaugh. 

"Do it? I _have_ done it many a time. But is there any hunting aroundhere?"

"Plenty of it. "

"Well, " continued Charles, "I walked all over the woods this morning, and couldn't find any thing. "

"It is not the season for hunting now, " said George; "but in the fallthere are lots of ducks, pigeons, squirrels, and turkeys, and in thewinter the woods are full of minks, and now and then a bear or deer;and the swamps are just the places to kill muskrats. "

"I'd just like to go hunting with some of you. I'll bet I can killmore game in a day than any one in the village. "

The boys made no reply to this confident assertion, for the fact wasthat they were too full of laughter to trust themselves to speak. 

"I'll bet you haven't got any thing in the village that can come up tothis, " continued Charles; and as he spoke he raised a light, beautifully-finished rifle from the bottom of the boat, and held it upto the admiring gaze of the boys. 

"That is a beauty, " said Harry, who wished to continue theconversation as long as possible, in order to hear some more ofCharles's "large stories. " "How far will it shoot?"

"It cost me a hundred dollars, " answered Charles, "and I've killedbears and deer with it, many a time, as far as across this riverhere. "

Charles did not hesitate to say this, for he was talking only to"simple-minded country boys, " as he called them, and he supposed hecould say what he pleased and they would believe it. His auditors, whobefore had been hardly able to contain themselves, were now almostbursting with laughter. Frank and George, however, managed to draw ona sober face, while Harry turned away his head and stuffed hishandkerchief into his mouth. 

"I tell you, " continued Charles, not noticing the condition hishearers were in, "I've seen some pretty tough times in my life. Once, when I was hunting in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northern partof Michigan, I was attacked by Indians, and came very near beingcaptured, and the way I fought was a caution to white folks. Thislittle rifle came handy then, I tell you. But I must hurry along now;I promised to go riding with the old man this afternoon. "

And he dipped the oars into the water, and the little boat shotrapidly up the river. It was well that he took his departure just ashe did, for our three boys could not possibly have containedthemselves a moment longer. They could not wait for him to get out ofsight, but, lying back in the boat, they laughed until the tearsrolled down their cheeks. 

"Well, Frank, what do you think of him?" inquired Harry, as soon as hecould speak. 

"I think the less we have to do with him the better, " answered Frank. 

"I did think, " said Harry, stopping now and then to indulge in ahearty fit of laughter, "that there might be some good things abouthim; but a boy that can tell such whopping big lies as he told must bevery small potatoes. Only think of catching three hundred fish in lessthan half an hour, and with only one hook and line! Why, that would beten every minute, and that is as many as two men could manage. Andthen for him to talk about that pop-gun of his shooting as far asacross this river!--why, it's a mile and a half--and I know itwouldn't shoot forty rods, and kill. But the best of all was hishunting among the Adirondack Mountains, in Michigan, and having todefend himself against the Indians; that's a good joke. "

And Harry laid back in the boat again, and laughed and shouted untilhis sides ached. 

"He must be a very ungrateful fellow, " said Frank, at length. "Didn'tyou notice how disrespectfully he spoke of his father? He called himhis 'old man. ' If I had a father, I'd never speak so lightly of him. "

"Yes, I noticed that, " said George. "But, " he continued, reaching forthe basket which Harry, after helping himself most bountifully, hadplaced on the middle seat, "I'm hungry as blazes, and think I can dojustice to the good things mother has put up for us. "

After eating their dinner they got out their fishing-tackle again; butthe perch had stopped biting, and, after waiting patiently for half anhour without feeling a nibble, they unjointed their poles, drew up theanchor, and Frank seated himself at the helm, while George and Harrytook the oars and pulled toward home. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Regulators

One of the range of hills which extended around the western side ofthe village was occupied by several families, known as the "Hillers. "They were ignorant, degraded people, living in miserable hovels, andobtaining a precarious subsistence by hunting, fishing, and stealing. With them the villagers rarely, if ever, had intercourse, andrespectable persons seldom crossed their thresholds. The principal manamong the Hillers was known as Bill Powell. He was a giant in strengthand stature, and used to boast that he could visit "any hen-roost inthe village every night in the week, and carry off a dozen chickenseach time, without being nabbed. " He was very fond of liquor, tooindolent to work, and spent most of his time, when out of jail, on theriver, fishing, or roaming through the woods with his gun. He had oneson, whose name was Lee, and a smarter boy it was hard to find. Hepossessed many good traits of character, but, as they had never beendeveloped, it was difficult to discover them. He had always lived inthe midst of evil influences, led by the example of a drunken, brutalfather, and surrounded by wicked companions, and it is no wonder thathis youthful aspirations were in the wrong direction. 

Lee and his associates, as they were not obliged so attend school, andwere under no parental control, always amused themselves as they sawit. Most of their time was spent on the river or in the woods, and, when weary of this sport, the orchards and melon-patches around thevillage, although closely guarded, were sure to suffer at their hands;and they planned and executed their plundering expeditions with somuch skill and cunning, that they were rarely detected. 

A day or two after the events related in the preceding chaptertranspired, Charles Morgan, in company with two or three of his chosencompanions, was enjoying a sail on the river. During theirconversation, one of the boys chanced to say something about theHillers, and Charles inquired who they were. His companions gave himthe desired information, and ended by denouncing them in the strongestterms. 

Charles, after hearing them through, exclaimed, "I'd just like tocatch one of those boys robbing our orchard or hen-roost. One or theof us would get a pummeling, sure as shooting. "

"Yes, " said one of the boys, "but, you see, they do not go alone. Ifthey did, it would be an easy matter to catch them. But they all gotogether, and half of them keep watch, and the rest bag the plunder;and they move around so still that even the dogs don't hear them. "

"I should think you fellows here in the village would take the matterinto your own hands, " said Charles. 

"What do you mean?" inquired his companions. 

"Why don't you club together, and every time you see one of theHillers, go to work and thrash him like blazes? I guess, after you hadhalf-killed two or three of them, they would learn to let thingsalone. "

"I guess they would, too, " said one of the boys. 

"Suppose we get up a company of fifteen or twenty fellows, " resumedCharles, "and see how it works. I'll bet my eyes that, after we'vewhipped half a dozen of them, they won't dare to show their faces inthe village again. "

"That's the way to do it, " said one of the boys. "I'll join thecompany, for one. "

The others readily fell in with Charles's proposal, and they spentsome time talking it over and telling what they intended to do whenthey could catch the Hillers, when one of the boys suddenly exclaimed, "I think, after all, that we shall have some trouble in carrying outour plans. Although there are plenty of fellows in the village whowould be glad to join the company, there are some who must not knowany thing about it, or the fat will all be in the fire. "

"Who are they?" demanded Charles. 

"Why, there are Frank Nelson, and George and Harry Butler, and BillJohnson, and a dozen others, who could knock the whole thing into acocked hat, in less than no time. "

"Could they? I'd just like to see them try it on, " said Charles, witha confident air. "They would have a nice time of it. How would they goto work?"

"I am afraid that, if they saw us going to whip the Hillers, theywould interfere. "

"They would, eh? I'd like to see them undertake to hinder us. Can'ttwenty fellows whip a dozen?"

"I don't know. Every one calls Frank Nelson and his set the best boysin the village. They never fight if they can help it; but they areplaguy smart fellows, I tell you; and, if we once get them aroused, weshall have a warm time of it, I remember a little circumstance thathappened last winter. We had a fort in the field behind theschool-house, and one night we were out there, snowballing, and I sawFrank Nelson handle two of the largest boys in his class. There wereabout a dozen boys in the fort--and they were the ones that always gowith Frank--and all the rest of the school were against them. The fortstood on a little hill, and we were almost half an hour capturing it, and we wouldn't ever have taken it if the wall hadn't been brokendown. We would get almost up to the fort, and they would rush out anddrive us down again. At last we succeeded in getting to the top of thehill, and our boys began to tumble over the walls, and I hope I may beshot if they didn't throw us out as fast as we could get in, and--"

"Oh, I don't care any thing about that, " interrupted Charles, whocould not bear to hear any one but himself praised. "If I had beenthere, I would have run up and thrown _them_ out. "

"And you could have done it easy enough, " said one of the boys, whohad for some time remained silent. 

"Frank Nelson and his set are not such great fellows, after all. "

"Of course they ain't, " said the other. "They feel big enough; but Iguess, if we get this company we have spoken of started, and theyundertake to interfere with us, we will take them down a peg or two. "

"That's the talk!" said Charles. "I never let any one stop me when Ihave once made up my mind to do a thing. I would as soon knock FrankNelson down as any body else. "

By this time the boat, which had been headed toward the shore, enteredthe creek, and Charles drew up to the wharf, and, after setting hiscompanions ashore, and directing them to speak to every one whom theythought would be willing to join the company, and to no one else, hedrew down the sails, and pulled up the creek toward the place where hekept his boat. 

A week passed, and things went on swimmingly. Thirty boys had enrolledthemselves as members of the Regulators, as the company was called, and Charles, who had been chosen captain, had carried out his plans soquietly, that he was confident that no one outside of the company knewof its existence. Their arrangements had all been completed, and theRegulators waited only for a favorable opportunity to carry theirplans into execution. 

Frank, during this time, had remained at home, working in his gardenor shop, and knew nothing of what was going on. 

One afternoon he wrote a letter to his cousin Archie, and, aftersupper, set out, with Brave at his heels, to carry it to thepost-office. He stopped on the way for George and Harry Butler, whowere always ready to accompany him. On the steps of the post-officethey met three or four of their companions, and, after a few moments'conversation, William Johnson suddenly inquired, "Have you joined the new society, Frank?"

"What society?"

"Why, the Regulators. "

"I don't know what you mean, " said Frank. 

"Yes, I guess they have managed to keep it pretty quiet, " saidWilliam. "They don't want any outsiders to know any thing about it. They asked me to join in with them, but I told them that they ought toknow better than to propose such a thing to me. Then they tried tomake me promise that I wouldn't say any thing about it, but I wouldmake no such promise, for--"

"Why, Bill, what are you talking about?" inquired Harry. "You rattleit off as if we knew all about it. "

"Haven't you heard any thing about it, either?" inquired William, insurprise. "I was certain that they would ask you to join. Well, theamount of it is that Charley Morgan and a lot of his particularfriends have been organizing a company for the purpose of thrashingthe Hillers, and making them stop robbing hen-roosts and orchards andcutting up such shines. "

"Yes, " chimed in James Porter, "there are about thirty of them, andthey say that they are going to whip the Hillers out of the village. "

"Well, that's news to me, " said Frank. 

"For my part, " said Thomas Benton, "I, of course, know that theHillers ought to be punished; but I do not think it is the duty of usboys to take the law into our own hands. "

"Nor I, " said James Porter. 

"Well, _I_ do, " said Harry, who, as we have said, was an impetuous, fiery fellow, "and I believe I will join the Regulators, and help whipthe rascals out of the country. They ought, every one of them, to bethrashed for stealing and--"

"Now, see here, Harry, " interrupted George. "You know very well thatsuch a plan will never succeed, and it _ought_ not to. You have beentaught that it is wrong to take things that do not belong to you, butwith the Hillers the case is different; their parents teach them tosteal, and they are obliged to do it. "

"Besides, " said Frank, "this summary method of correcting them willnot break up their bad habits; kindness will accomplish much more thanforce. "

"Kindness!" repeated Harry, sneeringly; "as if kindness could have anyeffect on a Hiller!"

"They can tell when they are kindly treated as well as any one else, "said George. 

"And another thing, " said Ben. Lake; "these Regulators must be afoolish set of fellows to suppose that the Hillers are going to standstill and be whipped. I say, as an old sea-captain once said, when itwas proposed to take a man-o'-war with a whale-boat, 'I guess it willbe a puttering job. '"

"Well, " said James, "I shall do all I can to prevent a fight. "

"So will I, " said Frank. 

"_I_ won't, " said Harry, who, with his arms buried almost to theelbows in his pockets, was striding backward and forward across thesteps. "I say the Hillers ought to be thrashed. "

"I'm afraid, " said William, without noticing what Harry had remarked, "that our interference will be the surest way to bring on a fight;because, after I refused to join the company, they told me that if anyof us attempted to defend the Hillers, or break up the company, theywould thrash us, too. "

"We don't want to break up their company, " said Frank, with a laugh. "We must have a talk with them, and try to show them how unreasonablethey are. "

"Here they come, now, " said George, pointing up the road. 

The boys looked in the direction indicated, and saw the Regulatorsjust turning the corner of the street that led to Mr. Morgan's house. They came around in fine order, marching four abreast, and turned upthe street that led to the post-office. They had evidently been welldrilled, for they kept step admirably. 

"They look nice, don't they?" said Ben. 

"Yes, " answered George; "and if they were enlisted in a good cause, Iwould off with my hat and give them three cheers. "

The Regulators had almost reached the post-office, when they suddenlyset up a loud shout, and, breaking ranks, started on a full run downthe street. The boys saw the reason for this, when they discovered LeePowell coming up the road that led from the river, with a large stringof fish in his hand. He always had good luck, but he seemed to havebeen more fortunate than usual, for his load was about as heavy as hecould conveniently carry. He walked rapidly along, evidently very muchoccupied with his own thoughts, when, suddenly, two or three stonescame skipping over the ground, and aroused him from his reverie. Helooked up in surprise, and discovered that his enemies were so closeto him that flight was useless. 

The Regulators drew nearer and nearer, and the stones fell thick aboutthe object of their wrath, until, finally, one struck him on theshoulder, and another knocked his cap from his head. 

"I can't stand that, " said Frank; and, springing from the steps, hestarted to the rescue, followed by all of his companions, (exceptHarry, who still paced the steps), and they succeeded in throwingthemselves between Lee and his assailants. 

Several of the Regulators faltered on seeing Lee thus defended; butCharles, followed by half a dozen of his "right-hand men, " advanced, and attempted to force his way between Frank and his companions. 

"Hold on, here!" said Frank, as he gently, but firmly, resistedCharles's attempts to push him aside. "What are you trying to do?"

"What business is that of yours?" answered Charles, roughly, as hecontinued his efforts to reach Lee. "You question me as if you were mymaster. Stand aside, if you don't want to get yourself in trouble. "

"You don't intend to hurt Lee, do you?"

"Yes, I do. But it's none of your business, any way. Get out of theway!"

"Has he ever done you any harm?"

"It's none of your business, I say!" shouted Charles, now almostbeside himself with rage. 

"And I want you to keep your hands off me!" he continued, as Frankseized his arm, which he had raised to strike Lee, who stood closebehind his protector. 

Frank released his hold, and Charles sprang forward again, and, dodging Frank's grasp, slipped under his arm, and attempted to seizethe Hiller. But Frank was as quick as a cat in his motions; and, before Charles had time to strike a blow, he seized him with a gripthat brought from him a cry of pain, and seated him, unceremoniously, on the ground. 

As soon as Charles could regain his feet, he called out, "Here it is, boys--just as I expected! Never mind the Hiller, butlet's go to work and give the other fellows a thrashing that theywon't get over in a month. "

And he sprang toward Frank, against whom he seemed to cherish anespecial grudge, followed by a dozen Regulators, who brandished theirfists as if they intended to annihilate Lee's gallant defenders. But, just as Charles was about to attack Frank, a new actor appeared. HarryButler, who had greatly changed his mind in regard to "thrashing theHillers, " seeing that the attack was about to be renewed, sprang downthe steps, and caught Charles in his arms, and threw him to theground, like a log. 

The others had been no less successful in repulsing their assailants;and, when Charles rose to his feet, he saw three or four of theRegulators, who had followed him to the attack, sprawling on theground, and the rest retreating precipitately. 

"Now, " said Harry, "let's stop this. We've had enough of it. "

But Charles, and several more of the Regulators, seemed to be of adifferent opinion, and were about to recommence their hostiledemonstrations, when Harry continued, "We've only been playing with you so far Charley; so you had betternot try to come any more of your Regulator tricks on us. We don't wantto fight, but we shall defend ourselves. "

"If you had attended to your own affairs, you would not have beenobliged to defend yourselves, " said Charles, sullenly. 

"What sort of fellows do you suppose we are?" said Harry. "If youexpected us to stand still and see thirty fellows pitch on one, youare very much mistaken. "

"Come, Lee, " said Frank, taking the former by the arm, "I guess we cango now. We'll see you out of harm's way. "

The crest-fallen Regulators divided right and left, and allowed Frankand his companions to depart, unmolested. They accompanied Lee almostto the miserable hovel he called "home, " and, when about to bid himgood-night, he said, with some feeling, "I'll remember you, boys; and, if it ever comes handy, you will findthat Lee Powell has got feelings, as well as any one else. "

And he sprang over a fence, and disappeared. 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Revenge. 

While Frank and his companions were accompanying Lee toward home, someof the Regulators were indulging in feelings of the deepest malice;and there were about a dozen of them--Frank's old enemies--whodetermined that he should not go unpunished. But there were others whobegan to see how cowardly they had acted in attacking a defenselessboy, for the only reason that he was a bad boy, and to fear that theyhad lost the good-will of Frank and his associates. The village boys, with a few exceptions, were accustomed to look up to Frank as a sortof leader; not that he aspired to the position, but his generosity, and the easy way he had of settling the disputes that sometimes aroseamong the boys, had won for him many a fast friend. We have seen, however, that he was not beloved by all; every good boy has hisenemies, and Frank, of course, had his share of them. They were boyswho were jealous of him, and hated him because he held a position inthe estimation of the village people to which they could not attain. But this class was very small, comprising, as we have said, about adozen of the Regulators; and, while they were enraged at their defeat, and studying plans for revenge, the others were repenting of theirfolly, and trying to think of some way by which they might regaintheir lost reputation. 

Charles's overbearing and haughty manner was so different from Frank'skind, obliging ways, that they had already grown tired of his company, and began to think seriously of having nothing more to do with him;and the things that had just transpired served to convince them thatthe sooner they left him the better. 

As soon as Lee and his gallant defenders had disappeared, one of theRegulators remarked, "Well, boys, I don't call this a paying business, trying to thrash aboy who has done us no harm. "

"That's my opinion, " said another. 

"And I, for one, wish I had kept out of this scrape, " said a third. 

"So do I, " said the one who had first spoken. 

"Oh, you begin to back down, do you, you cowards?" exclaimed Charles, who was taken completely by surprise by this sudden change ofaffairs. "_I_ never give up till I am whipped. If it hadn't been formy lame hand, I would have knocked some of those fellows into cockedhats. I'll fix that Frank Nelson, the next time I catch him. "

"Why didn't you do it to-night?" inquired one of the boys, sneeringly. 

"I've got a lame hand, I tell you, " roared the bully; "and I don'twant you to speak to me in that way again; if you do, you and I willhave a meeting. "

"That would be an unpleasant job for you, to say the least, " said oneof the boys; "the most of us are heartily sick of your company, and wehave been talking, for two or three days, of sending in ourresignations. Now, boys, " he continued, "this is as good anopportunity as we shall have; so those that won't have any thing moreto do with Regulating, say 'I!'"

"I! I!" burst from a score of throats. 

"Now, " he resumed, turning to Charles, "good-by; and, if you ever wishto recruit another company, you need not call on any of us. "

So saying, he walked off, followed by nearly all the Regulators; thosewho remained were Frank's enemies and rivals. 

"Well, boys, " said Charles, as soon as the others had gone, "there area few of us left, and we can annoy the fellows who think they are toogood to associate with us in the worst way. Let us adjourn to ourbarn, where we can talk the matter over. "

A few moments' walk brought them to Mr. Morgan's house, and, when theyentered the long carriage-way that led up to the barn, Charles said, "Now, boys, you stay here, and I'll go in and get a light. "

He ran into the house, and soon reappeared with a lantern in eachhand, and led the way toward the barn. He unlocked the door, and heand his companions entered; and, after allowing them time to examine, to their satisfaction, the splendid equipage that had attracted somuch attention the morning they arrived at the village, Charlesproceeded to call the meeting to order. 

"Now, boys, " said he, "we don't intend to disband, do we?"

"No, " answered several. 

"Then, the first thing for us to do is to change our name, for wedon't want to let those cowardly sneaks that deserted us to-night knowany thing about us. What shall we be called?"

Several names were proposed, but they did not suit Charles. At length, one of the boys inquired, "What name would you like?"

"I think that 'Midnight Rangers' would be a good name for us, "answered Charles. 

"That's a splendid name!"

"Now, " continued Charles, "we must change our plan of operations alittle. We must give up the idea of thrashing the Hillers for awhile, because there are not enough of us; but I should like it, if we couldgo to work and whip every one of those fellows that stuck up for LeePowell to-night, especially Frank Nelson. "

"So would I, " answered William Gage, whom Charles looked upon as his'right-hand man;' "but it wouldn't do to attempt it, for he has gottoo many friends. We must shoot his dog, or steal his boat, or dosomething of that kind. It would plague him more than a dozenwhippings. "

"That's so!" exclaimed another of the Rangers. "If we could only go upthere, some dark night, and steal his scow, and run her out into theriver, and burn her, wouldn't he be mad?"

"Yes, " chimed in another, "but it wouldn't pay even to attempt that. He always keeps his boats chained up, and the noise we would make ingetting them loose would be sure to start that dog of his, and then weshould have a dusty time, I reckon. "

"I guess so, too, " said William Gage. "Whatever we do, we must becareful not to start that dog, for he would go through fire and waterto catch us; and, if he ever got hold of one of us--"

And William shrugged his shoulders, significantly. 

"Hasn't he got an orchard or melon-patch that we could visit?"inquired Charles. 

"No, " answered one of the Rangers; "but he's got as nice astrawberry-patch as ever laid out-doors. But it's a little too earlyfor strawberries. "

"Who cares for that?" said Charles. "We don't go to get the fruit; weonly want to pay him for defending the Hiller--meddling with otherpeople's business. It's too late to do any thing to-night, " he added, glancing at his watch, "but let us go there to-morrow night, and pullup every strawberry-plant we can lay our hands on. You know, we can doas much mischief of that kind as we please, and it will all be laid tothe Hillers. "

"Where shall we meet?" inquired one of the Rangers. 

"Come here at precisely seven o'clock; and, remember, don't lisp asingle word to any one about it, for, if you do, we shall be foundout. "

The Rangers were about to disperse, when one of them suddenlyinquired, "Will not folks mistrust that something is in the wind, if they see usall starting up the road at that time of night?"

"That's a fact, " said William Gage. "Wouldn't it be a better plan forus to meet in the woods, at the back of Mrs. Nelson's lot? Let us allbe there at eight o'clock; and, if no two of us go in company, no onewill be the wiser for it. "

"That is the best plan, " said Charles. "Now, remember, don't say anything about it. "

"All right!" was the answer; and, in a few moments more, the Rangerswere on their way home. 

The next evening, at seven o'clock, Charles left his home, and, avoiding the principal streets as much as possible, started toward theplace of rendezvous, where he arrived at almost precisely the timeagreed upon. He found the Rangers all waiting for him; and, as it wasalready dark, it was decided to commence operations immediately. 

"We want a guide, " said Charles, who, of course, was captain of theRangers. "Who knows exactly where that strawberry-bed lies? for, if wehave to fumble about much, we shall start that dog, and then, itstrikes me, from what I have seen and heard of him, we shall be in apredicament. "

"You may safely bet on that, " said one of the boys; "he's a savagefellow. "

"And a first-rate watch-dog, too, " observed another. 

"Well, " said Charles, "all we have to do is to move so still that youcan't hear a leaf rustle; but, if we do rouse the dog, let each onegrab a stone and let him have it. "

"That would only make a bad matter worse, " said one. 

"I am afraid we shall have more than we bargained for, if we undertakethat, " remarked another. 

"Let the cowards go home, and the rest come with me, " said Charles, impatiently. "Bill, " he continued, turning to his right-hand man, "canyou act as guide?"

"Yes. "

"Then, lead on. "

William led the way out of the woods, across a narrow meadow, wherethey came to the fence that inclosed Mrs. Nelson's garden. 

"Now, boys, " he whispered, "keep still as mice; but, if we do startthe dog, don't stop to fight him, but run like white-heads. "

The Rangers climbed over the fence, and followed their guide, whothreaded his way through the trees and bushes with a skill worthy of abetter cause, and a few moments sufficed to bring them to thestrawberry-patch. 

"Be careful, boys, " said Charles, in a low whisper. "Don't leave asingle plant in the ground. "

The young scapegraces worked with a will, and, in a few moments, thestrawberry-bed--which was Frank's pride, next to his museum, and onwhich he had expended a great amount of labor--was almost ruined; andso quietly did they proceed in their work of wanton destruction, thatBrave, although a very vigilant dog, was not aroused, and themarauders retraced their steps, and reached the woods in safety. 

"There, " said Charles, at length, "that's what I call doing it upbrown. It almost pays off my debts. I don't think they will receivemuch benefit from those strawberries this year. "

"They have got some nice pears, " said one of the Rangers, "and whenthey get ripe, we must plan another expedition. "

"That's so, " answered Charles. "But we must not forget that we haveothers to settle with; and we must meet, some time next week, anddetermine who shall be visited next. "

On the following morning, Frank arose, as usual, at four o'clock, and, shouldering his fish-pole, started off through the woods to catch amess of trout, intending to be back by breakfast-time. But, as themorning was cloudy, the trout bit voraciously, and in the excitementof catching them, he forgot that he was hungry, and it was almost noonbefore he reached home. 

As soon as he entered the house, Aunt Hannah exclaimed, "Master Frank, you were altogether too good to Lee Powell, the othernight. "

"What makes you think so?" he inquired. 

At this moment Julia, hearing his voice, burst in from thedining-room, exclaiming, "Frank, the Hillers have robbed your strawberry-patch!"

"Not robbed it, exactly, " said his mother, who had followed closeafter Julia, "but they have completely ruined it. There are not adozen plants left in the ground. "

Frank was so surprised that he could scarcely utter a word; and, hardly waiting to hear what his mother said, he hurried from the housetoward the strawberry-patch. It did, indeed, present a strange anddesolate appearance. The bed had covered nearly half an acre; and, sowell had the Rangers performed their work, that but few plants wereleft standing. The sight was enough to upset even Frank'swell-established patience, and he exclaimed, "If I had the rascals that did this mischief, I could pay them for it, without troubling my conscience much. "

"You must tell Lee Powell, the next time you see him, " said Julia, whohad followed him, "that he ought not to--"

"Lee didn't do it, " said Frank. 

"What makes you think so?"

"See here, " said Frank, bending over a footprint in the soft earth;"the Hillers all go bare-foot, and these fellows wore boots. I knowwho did it, as well as if I had seen them. It was the work of CharlesMorgan and a few of his particular friends. They must have been verystill about it, for Brave didn't hear them. "

"I don't see what object they had in doing it, " said Julia. 

"I know what they did it for, " said Frank; "and if I ever catch--But, "he added, checking himself, "there's no use in grumbling about it; noamount of fretting will repair the damage. "

So saying, he led the way toward the house. 

It did not take him long to don his working-suit, and, shouldering hishoe, he returned to the strawberry-bed, and, in less than an hour, theplants were all in the ground again. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

How to Spend the "Fourth. "

That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settlinghimself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in oneof Bayard Taylor's works. While thus engaged, a light step was heardin the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia cameinto the room. 

"Now, Frank, " she began, "I don't want you to read to-night. "

"Why not?" he inquired. 

"Why, you know that day after to-morrow is the Fourth of July, and--"

"And you haven't got your fire-works yet?" interrupted Frank. 

"That's it, exactly. "

"Well, " said her brother, rising to put away his book, "then, Isuppose, I shall have to go down to the village and get you some. Whatdo you want?"

"I want all the things that are written down on this paper. "

Frank took the paper and read, "Three packs of fire-crackers, fourboxes of torpedoes, three Roman candles, half a dozen pin-wheels, anda dozen sky-rockets. "

"Whew!" said Frank, as he folded up the paper and put it into hispocket, "that's what I should call going it strong! Well, I'll tellMr. Sheldon [the store-keeper] to send up all the fire-works he hasgot. "

Julia burst into a loud laugh, and, the next moment, Frank and Bravewere out of the gate, on their way to the village. 

In the mean time several of Frank's acquaintances had been amusingthemselves on the village common with a game of ball. At length itgrew too dark for their sport to continue, and one of the boysproposed that they should decide upon some pleasant way of spendingthe Fourth. 

In spite of the humiliating defeat which Charles Morgan and hiscompanions had sustained, they were present; and the former, who hadbeen making every exertion to regain the good-will of the villageboys, exclaimed, "Let's go hunting. "

"No, no, " shouted several. 

"The game in the woods isn't good for any thing this time of year, Charley, " said James Porter, who, although he cordially dislikedCharles, always tried to treat him kindly. 

"Who cares for that?" exclaimed Charles, who, having always beenaccustomed to lead and govern his city associates, could not endurethe steadfastness with which these "rude country boys, " as he calledthem, held to their own opinions. Although, during the wholeafternoon, he had been endeavoring to work himself into their favor, he was angry, in an instant, at the manner in which they opposed hisproposition. He had been considerably abashed at his recent defeat, and he knew that it had humbled him in the estimation of the Rangers, who, although they still "held true" to him, had changed their mindsin regard to the prowess of their leader, and began to regard him, asone of them remarked, as a "mere bag of wind. "

Charles was not long in discovering this, and he determined to seizethe first opportunity that was offered to retrieve his reputation. 

Hastily casting his eyes over the group that surrounded him, hediscovered that Frank and Harry, the ones he most feared, were stillabsent. This was exactly what he had wished for. With the assistanceof his companions, the Rangers, who, he was confident, would upholdhim, he could settle up all old scores, without fear of suffering inreturn. 

Addressing himself to James, he continued, in an insulting tone, "We don't go to get the game to _eat_, you blockhead, but only forthe sport of killing it. "

"I know that, " answered James, in a mild voice, not the leastdisconcerted by the other's furious manner; "but wouldn't it be betterto--"

"Shut up!" shouted Charles. "I'll do just as I please. Besides, Inever allow any one to dictate to me. "

"I didn't intend to dictate at all, Charley. I was going to say--"

"Are you going to keep still, " roared the bully, "or shall I makeyou?"

And he began to advance toward James. 

"See here, old fellow, " said Ben. Lake, suddenly striding up, andplacing himself directly in front of Charles, "don't begin anotherfight, now. "

"I'll show you whether I will or not!" exclaimed Charles; and, turningto the Rangers, he continued, "Come on, boys! We can have things allour own way now. We'll see if--"

"Hold on!" shouted William Johnson. "Here comes Frank. Now you hadbetter take yourself off in a hurry. "

Charles's hostile demonstrations ceased in an instant; and, hastilywhispering a few words to the Rangers, they disappeared. 

In a few moments, Frank, accompanied by George and Harry, arrived, and the boys, in a few words, explained to them what had justhappened. 

"I hope, " said Frank, "that Charley will see, before long, howunreasonably he acts. He makes himself, and every one around him, uncomfortable. "

"Well, " said James Porter, "all I have got to say is that thosefellows who go with him are very foolish. However, we can't help it. But, come, " he added, "we were trying to find some pleasant way ofspending the Fourth. "

"Let's have a picnic on Strawberry Island, " said one. 

"We want something exciting, " said another "Let's have a boat-race. "

"Come, Frank, " said Ben. Lake, "let's hear what you have got to say. Suggest something. "

"Well, " answered Frank, who was always ready with some plan foramusement, "I have been thinking, for two or three days, of somethingwhich, I believe, will afford us a great deal of sport. In the firstplace, I suppose, we are all willing to pass part of the day on theriver?"

"Yes, of course, " answered the boys. 

"The next thing, " continued Frank, "is to ascertain how manysail-boats we can raise. "

"I'll bring mine. "

"And mine, " called out several voices. 

"Oh, that's no way to do business, " exclaimed William Johnson, whoalways liked to see things go off in order. "Let all those who haveboats hold up their hands. "

Sixteen hands came up, and Frank said, "We shall be gone all day, and, of course, we want plenty ofprovisions. "

"Of course. "

"Well, then, what I thought of proposing is this: Let us take three orfour of the swiftest sailing-boats, and give the provisions into theircharge, and call them smugglers, and let the other boats play the partof revenue-cutters, or a blockading squadron, and let the smugglerstry to land the provisions on Strawberry Island, without beingcaught. "

"That's capital!" shouted several. 

"It's better than shooting game, at this time of year, " said one. 

"Yes, and being scolded all day by that tyrant, " observed another, whohad belonged to the Regulators. 

"It will take some time to make all our arrangements, " said William, "and I move that we adjourn to our house, where we can hold ourmeeting in order. "

This was readily assented to, and William led the way, followed by allthe boys, who were highly delighted at Frank's plan of spending theFourth. 

George Butler was speedily chosen president of the meeting, and, inless than half an hour, their arrangements were completed. 

The Speedwell, Champion, and Alert--the latter a fine little schooner, owned by George and Harry--were to act the part of smugglers, and Ben. Lake and Thomas Benton, who had no boats, were chosen by the smugglersto assist them. The provisions, of which each boy was expected tofurnish his share, were all to be left at Mr. Butler's boat-house bysix o'clock on the following evening, where they were to be takencharge of by the smugglers, of whom Frank was chosen leader. It wasalso understood that the smugglers were to carry the provisions all inone boat, and were to be allowed to take every possible advantage ofthe "men-o'-war, " and to make every effort to land the provisions onthe island. 

The other thirteen boats, which were to act as "coast-guards, " were tobe under the command of Charles Sheldon, a shrewd, cunning fellow, whohad the reputation of being able to handle a sail-boat as well as anyboy in the village. 

The coast-guards were also divided into divisions of three boats each, and a captain was appointed for each division. 

These arrangements, as we have said, were speedily completed; and, although the coast-guards were almost wild with delight at theprospect of the exciting times that would occur during the race, theywere confident that the smugglers could be easily caught, and evensome of the smugglers themselves seemed to think that their chances oflanding the provisions were small indeed. 

As the meeting was about to break up, one of the coast-guardsexclaimed, "We'll have easy times catching you smugglers. "

"Do you think so?" asked Harry Butler. "It would be funny if youshould slip up on it, wouldn't it?"

"We'll risk that, " said another, "for we've got thirteen boats to yourthree. "

"I say, Frank, " said Charles Sheldon, "don't you think we can catchyou?"

"Oh, yes, " answered Frank, "easily enough, if you only try. Now, boys, " he continued, "remember that we want all the refreshments leftat Mr. Butler's boat-house, by six o'clock to-morrow evening. "

They all promised to be on hand, and the meeting broke up. 

But the coast-guards gathered in little knots in front of the house, or walked slowly toward home, talking the matter over, andcongratulating themselves on the easy manner in which the capture ofthe "contrabands" was to be effected. 

The smugglers remained together, and, as soon as the others were outof hearing, George inquired, "Do you think we can give them the slip?"

"Yes, " answered Frank, "I am certain we can. We must not think ofbeating them in sailing, because there are too many of them, but wemust outwit them. "

"What do you propose to do?" inquired Ben. 

"We must get up in the morning before they do. "

"We shall be obliged to get up at twelve o'clock, then, " said Thomas. 

"I had rather stay up all night than have them beat us, " said Harry. 

"Well, boys, " said George, "you must all come and sleep at our houseto-morrow night. Some of us will be sure to wake up early, and, Ithink, we shall have no trouble in getting the start of thecoast-guards. "

The boys spent some time in talking over their plans, and, finally, reluctantly separated, and started for home. 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Coast-guards Outwitted. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon of the following day, Frank badehis mother and sister good-by, and he and Brave got into theSpeedwell, and sailed slowly down the creek. He found the Championalready moored at Mr. Butler's dock, and the smugglers were allwaiting for him. As soon as he landed, Ben. Lake said, "Frank, it is a gone case with us. I _know_ we shall be caught. "

"You think so, do you?" asked Frank, as if not at all concerned. 

"Yes, I'm certain of it. I overheard some conversation among thecoast-guards, this afternoon, and one of them said that CharleySheldon would have the whole fleet anchored before the mouth of thecreek at half-past two to-morrow morning. "

"Besides, " said William Johnson, "they are all going to sleep in theirboats to-night, and the North Star and Sampson are to act as police. "

"And I heard Charley Sheldon say, " chimed in Harry, "that strict watchmust be kept of the Speedwell, and no attention paid to the otherboats. "

"That's all right, " said Frank. "I'm glad of it. "

"Why are you?" asked George, in surprise. "You know, we agreed tocarry the provisions all in one boat, and yours is the only one thatwill hold them all. "

"I tell you, Frank, we're gone suckers, " said Ben. 

"You fellows seem to be pretty well posted as to the coast-guards'intentions, " said Frank. 

"Yes, " said George; "we've been spying about and playing eavesdroppersall day. "

"I have learned one thing to-day, " said Frank, "that pleased me verymuch, and that is that the coast-guards intend to keep spies about theboat-house all night. "

"Why does that please you?" inquired Harry. "Do you want them todiscover all our plans, so that they may be ready for us?"

"By no means. I'll risk good deal that they will not learn more thanwe want them to know. I've thought of a way to set them on the wrongscent, and, from what I have heard, I think it will work first-rate. "

"What is it?"

"I'll show you in half a minute, " said Frank, "All we have got to dois to fool the spies; then we are all right. "

At this moment several boys, belonging to the blockading squadron, entered the boat-house, bringing their refreshments, and this, ofcourse, put a stop to all further conversation between the smugglers. 

By six o'clock the last basket of provisions had been brought in, andthe coast-guards took their departure, after repeatedly assuring thesmugglers that their capture was certain. 

The provisions had been brought in twenty medium-sized market-baskets, and one large clothes-basket that belonged to George and Harry, andseven pails. There was, also, a small bag filled with lemons, whichhad been brought by Charles Sheldon. 

The boys stood for some time looking at them without speaking. Atlength, Thomas Benton said, "You will have to carry them, Frank. They will make too large a loadfor either of the other boats. "

"I know that, " said Frank; "but we must make the coast-guards thinkthat the Alert is going to carry them. "

"How can we manage that?" inquired George. 

"Have you got three or four market-baskets, a clothes-basket, one ortwo pails, and a salt-bag?" asked Frank, without stopping to answerGeorge's question. 

"I guess so, " said Harry. "I'll go up to the house and see. "

He led the way, followed by three or four of the smugglers, and thearticles in question were soon brought into the boat-house. 

"Now, Bill, " said Frank, "you take this salt-bag, if you please, andfill it with smooth, round stones, about the size of lemons. "

"All right, " answered William, who began to see through the trick. 

"Now, " continued Frank, "we want some pieces of cloth, large enough totie over the tops of these baskets and pails. "

These were speedily procured, and, in a few moments, William returnedwith the salt-bag filled with stones. 

"Now, tell us what you intend to do, " exclaimed Harry, whose patiencewas well-nigh exhausted. 

"We are making some sham provisions, " said Frank. 

"Oh, yes, I thought so, " said Thomas; "but we haven't got pails andbaskets enough. "

"Oh, that's nothing, " said Frank. "We'll fill half a dozen of theseold bags with shavings, and, as soon as it grows dark, we'll pull theAlert alongside the wharf, and tumble these sham provisions into her;then we will cover them up with that piece of sail, as if we wanted tokeep them dry. We'll be sure to fool the men-o'-war. "

"I don't exactly see it, " said Thomas. 

"Why, " said Harry, "as soon as we are out of sight, their spies, whoare, of course, watching every movement, will go and tell CharleySheldon that we have got the things stowed away in the Alert. "

"That's very well, as far as you go, " said Ben; "but suppose theyshould mistrust that something is in the wind, and should go to workand examine the provisions?"

"What if they do?" said Frank. "It will be too dark for them to makemuch of an examination; and, if they put their hands into the boat, they will feel the baskets and pails there, and will go awaysatisfied. "

The boys now saw through the trick, and there was no longer anyfeeling of doubt in their minds. They were now as certain of successas they had before been of being captured. 

In a few moments the "sham provisions, " as Frank had called them, were all completed, and, placing them where they could be easily takenout, they locked the door, to prevent surprise, and started for thehouse. 

As they were about to enter the gate, George suddenly exclaimed, "See there!"

The boys looked in the direction George indicated, and saw theblockading squadron, with the exception of two boats, anchored in thecreek, just opposite the long dock. The North Star, a fine, swift-sailing little schooner, was anchored near the middle of thestream, and a boy sat in the stern sheets, reading a book. TheSampson, a very large sloop-rigged boat, was standing up the creek, under full sail. These were the "police boats, " and they were takingtheir stations. 

"I wonder where the Sampson is going, " said Harry. 

"She's going to take her station in Duck's Creek, " said Ben. 

Upon hearing this, Harry's expectations fell again. 

"It's no use, " he exclaimed. "Charley Sheldon knows too much for us. "

"Not a bit, " said Frank. "This arrangement is only for to-night. Whenwe get up in the morning, we shall find the boats all out in theriver. "

This immediately reassured Harry; and, after watching the Sampsonuntil she disappeared in Duck's Creek, he led the way to the house. 

After supper, as soon as it began to grow dark, they proceeded to puttheir plans into execution; but, before they started, Frank said, "Now, boys, we must watch and see how the trick takes, for I know thatthere are spies now around that boat-house. As soon as we get the shamprovisions into the boat, one or two of us had better slip down intothe willows behind the wharf, and see what course things are going totake. "

"Well, " said Harry, "suppose you and Bill act as spies. "

"Agreed. Come on, but don't act as if you suspected anything. "

And he led the way toward the boat-house. 

Two of the boys busied themselves in bringing out the sham provisions, and the others brought the Alert alongside, and fastened her to thedock, in front of the boat-house. Frank and Harry then got down intothe boat, and the other boys passed the provisions down to them, andthey placed them in such a manner as to take up as much space aspossible. They were soon all stowed away, and covered over with alarge sail, as if to keep off the dew. 

Ben and George then got into a small skiff that lay at the dock, andtowed the Alert out into the middle of the creek, and anchored her. As soon as this was done they returned, and the smugglers began toamuse themselves by pushing each other about the wharf. They allappeared to enter heartily into the sport, and kept nearing thewillows which extended along the bank of the creek, close to thewharf, and Frank and William, watching their opportunity, concealedthemselves, and the others ran toward the house. They had hardlydisappeared, when the smugglers saw several boys steal cautiouslyaround the corner of the boat-house, where they had been concealed, and one of them crept up the bank, to assure himself that the coastwas clear, while the others remained in the shadow of the house. Theformer, who proved to be Charles Sheldon, the commander of thecoast-guards, as soon as he had satisfied himself that the smugglershad gone into the house, called out, in a low whisper, to the others, who were the captains of the divisions of the squadron, "All right, boys; go ahead, but be careful not to make any noise. Ididn't see Frank Nelson's dog go into the yard, " he continued; "hemust be around here somewhere. We must not let him hear us. "

Brave _was_, as Charles had said, "around there somewhere. " He waslying by his master's side, among the willows, no doubt wondering atthe strange things that were going on, and, well-trained as he was, it was with great difficulty that Frank could keep him quiet. 

The coast-guards crossed the wharf with noiseless steps, and, unfastening the skiff which the smugglers had just used, they climbeddown into it, and pushed off toward the Alert. A few strokes broughtthem alongside of her, and, thrusting their arms under the sail, theybegan the examination which the smugglers had so much dreaded. 

"What do you find?" inquired Charles, who still kept watch at the topof the bank. 

"Here are a lot of baskets and pails, " said one

"And here's the large basket that George and Harry brought, " saidanother. 

"What are these round things in this bag, I wonder?" said the one whohad first spoken. 

"Oh, those are the lemons I brought, " said Charles. 

"Gracious! how hard they are!" continued the boy, trying to dig hisfingers into them. 

At this, Frank and William, who, of course, had heard every word ofthe conversation, and had sat fairly trembling with excitement, fearful that their trick would be discovered, could scarcely refrainfrom laughing outright. Had it been daylight, the ruse of thesmugglers would certainly have been detected, but, as it was, thecoast-guards never mistrusted that any thing was wrong. The night wasrather dark, and the sham provisions were so neatly tied up, and socarefully stowed away, that the deception was complete. 

"I guess they are all here, " said one of the boys, at length. 

"Well, come ashore, then, " said Charles, "and let's be off. "

The boys pulled back to the wharf, and Charles continued, "I didn't think that the Alert would hold all of the refreshments, didyou?"

"No, " answered one of the boys, whom the smugglers recognized as JamesPorter; "I guess it was a tight squeeze; I could hardly get my hand inbetween the baskets. "

"What do you suppose the smugglers intend to do?" inquired another. 

"I don't know, " answered Charles, "unless they propose to get up inthe morning before we do, and slip over to the island before we knowit. I wonder how they felt when they saw us taking our positions. "

"But what do you suppose made them put the provisions in the Alert?"

"Oh, I think I can see through that easily enough, " said James. "Frankknows that we expected that he was going to carry them over to theisland, and he calculates to get us to chase him and give the Alert achance to land the provisions. He is a cunning fellow, but this timewe are too sharp for him. "

"I wonder why Frank don't send some one out to act as a spy, " saidCharles. 

"I guess he's afraid that he would be taken prisoner. "

We may as well state here (and we should have done so before) that ithad been agreed that if one side could catch any of the other actingas spies, they were at liberty to hold them as prisoners until therace was over, and that the prisoner should, if required, give hiscaptors all the information possible relative to the movements andplans of his party, and they could also require him to lend assistancein carrying out their own. The prisoner, of course, was allowed theprivilege of escaping, if he could. 

This _was_ the reason why the smugglers had not sent out any spies;and, if the coast-guards had been aware that Frank and William werehidden away in the willows, they could easily have captured them, and, according to the agreement, obliged them to divulge all their plans. 

"Well, " said Charles, "we don't want any prisoners now, for we knowall their plans; but I wanted to catch Frank this morning, for I wasafraid he would beat us. If he should find out that this trick wasdiscovered, he would plan another in five minutes. I guess we hadbetter remain where we are to-night, " he continued, "and, athalf-past two o'clock, we will pull out into the river, and blockadethe creek. All we have to do is to take care of the Alert, and let theother boats do as they please. But we had better be off, or thesmugglers may slip out and make some of us prisoners. "

And the spies departed as cautiously and quickly as they had come. 

As soon as they had gone, the smugglers arose from their places ofconcealment, and stole into the house, and acquainted the other boyswith the success of their stratagem. 

After enjoying a hearty laugh at the expense of the coast-guards, ledby George and Harry, they ran up stairs into the "large chamber, " aroom containing three beds, and they were soon snug between thesheets. But sleep was, for a long time, out of the question; theylaughed and talked until their jaws ached, and the hands of the oldclock that stood in the room pointed to twelve; then they allowedtheir tired tongues to rest, and lay for a long time, each occupiedwith his own thoughts, and, finally, one after the other fell asleep. 

The hours passed on, and nothing was heard but their gentle breathing. Suddenly Harry, who always talked in his sleep when any thing excitingwas going on, turned over in bed with a jerk, and began to muttersome unintelligible words. All at once, raising himself to a sittingposture, he sang out, at the top of his voice, "Starboard your helm there, George--starboard your helm; bring heraround quick. The Alert can show as clean a pair of heels as any boatabout the village. "

In an instant the other boys were awake, and Harry continued to shouthis directions, until several hearty thumps on the back caused him tochange his tune. 

"Let me alone!" he shouted. "We haven't cheated you. We promised tocarry the provisions all over in one boat, and we've done it. "

Harry was quickly dragged out of bed and placed upon his feet, and hewas wide awake in an instant, but he stood in the middle of the room, as if bewildered, while the others rolled on the beds, convulsed withlaughter. 

At length, William Johnson, who was the first that could speak, inquired, "I wonder what time it is. "

"Wait until I light this candle, and we'll see, " said George. 

"No, no, don't do that, " said Frank. "The coast-guards may be on thewatch, and, if they see a light in the house, will be getting readyfor us. "

And, going to the clock, he opened it, and, feeling of the hands, said, "It's about ten minutes to three. "

"What shall we do?" inquired Ben. 

"Let us go and see what our friends of the squadron are doing, " saidThomas; "and, if they are not on hand, we can slip over and land ourgoods. "

By this time every one was dressed, and they crept carefully downstairs and out of the house. 

"Hold on a minute, boys, " said Frank. "I will bet there are spiesaround that boat-house now. "

"Let's take them prisoners, " exclaimed Harry. 

"That's just what I was about to propose, " said Frank; "but, in orderto do it, we had better divide into two parties, so as to surround thehouse. "

"Well, " said George, "three of us will go up the road, and cross overby the bridge, and the rest of you can go down the road, and get intothe willows behind the mill. "

"That's a good idea, " said Frank. "We will meet at the back of theboat-house. "

The boys accordingly separated, and started in different directions. 

Frank and his party, which consisted of Harry and Ben, threaded theirway through the garden, and across a meadow, until they arrivedopposite Mr. Butler's mill. Here they crossed the road, and, after acareful reconnoissance, entered the willows, and crawled, almost ontheir hands and knees, toward the boat-house. At length they arrivedat the place where they were to meet their companions, but nothing wasto be seen or heard of them. 

"I hope they have not been taken prisoners, " whispered Frank. 

"I don't think they have, " said Ben, "because we should have heardsomething of it. They are not the ones to give up without a struggle. But I don't see any thing of the spies. "

"Neither do I, " said Harry. "They must be around the other side of theboat-house. "

"If they are there, " said Frank, "we will soon make them showthemselves. "

And, as he spoke, he seized a branch above his head, and shook itviolently. 

"Oh, that's no way, " whispered Harry, excitedly; "you will frightenthe--"

"--sh! there they are!" said Frank. 

And, as he spoke, the smugglers saw a boy come cautiously around thecorner of the boat-house. He gazed impatiently toward the willows, anduttered a low whistle. 

Frank instantly answered it, and the boy came down the bank, and said, in a low voice, "Come out here, Jim. I thought you would never relieve us. No signs ofthe smugglers yet--"

"You must be mistaken, " said Frank, springing lightly from hisconcealment; and, before the coast-guard could recover from hissurprise, he found himself a prisoner. 

"Don't make any noise, " said Frank. "Where's your companion? Theremust be two of you. "

"Yes, there is another one, " answered the prisoner. "Ned Wilbur isaround the other side of the boat-house. "

"Well, Ben, " said Frank, "if you will watch this fellow, Harry and Iwill see what we can do for Ned. "

So saying, he went carefully around one side of the boat-house, andHarry disappeared around the other. Frank reached the end of the housefirst, and discovered the coast-guard standing in the door-way, asmotionless as a statue. He was waiting for Harry to make hisappearance at the opposite end, when the sentinel suddenly uttered anejaculation of surprise, and bounded up the bank; but, just as hereached the top, a dark form, which seemed to rise out of the ground, clasped the fleeting coast-guard in its arms, and a voice, which Frankrecognized as William Johnson's, said, in a low whisper, "You're my prisoner!"

"It's just my luck, " said the crest-fallen sentinel, bitterly, asWilliam led him down the bank. "I told Charley Sheldon that we wouldbe sure to be gobbled up if we were stationed here. Now, I suppose, you want me to tell all our plans. "

"No, we don't, " answered Harry; "we know all your plans already. "

By this time the smugglers had all come in, and, holding fast to theircaptives, they held a consultation, in which it was decided that itwould be best to reconnoiter before attempting to leave the creek. Itwas very dark, and not a sound broke the stillness of the night; butthe smugglers were too cunning to believe that the coast was clear, for they knew that the enemy would resort to every possible means toeffect their capture. 

Three of the smugglers were directed to get into Mr. Butler's yawl, taking one of the prisoners with them, and drop down to the mouth ofGlen's Creek, and note the position of the enemy there; and Frank andthe other boys stepped into the skiff, and started up toward Ducks'Creek, to ascertain the condition of affairs, taking Ned with them. They pulled rapidly, but noiselessly, along, and had almost reachedthe creek, when a strong, cheery voice, directly before them, calledout, "Boat ahoy!"

"There, " whispered Harry, "we're discovered. "

"No, I guess not, " said Frank. "Ned, " he continued, turning to theprisoner, "you must talk for us. Answer them. "

"Ay, ay, sir, " shouted Ned, in reply to the hail. 

"What boat is that?"

"Dispatch boat, " answered Ned, prompted by Frank; "and we bring ordersfor you to pull down and join the fleet, which is now blockading themouth of Glen's Creek. "

"All right, " answered the voice. "We've been waiting an hour for thatorder. This playing police is dull business. "

And the smugglers heard the rattling of a chain, as if the anchor wasbeing pulled up. 

"Tell them to make haste, " whispered Frank. 

"Come, hurry up there, now, " shouted Ned. 

"Ay, ay, " was the answer. 

And, in a few moments, the Sampson, propelled by four oars, shot pastthem, on her way down the creek. 

"That's what I call pretty well done, " said Ben, as soon as thecoast-guards were out of hearing. 

"I don't, " said Ned. "It goes against me to fool a fellow in that way;and my own friends, too. "

The smugglers now continued on their way, and a few strong pullsbrought them within a short distance of the mouth of Ducks' Creek; andFrank, who was at the helm, turned the boat's head toward the shore, and, as soon as her keel touched the bottom, he and Ben sprang out, leaving Harry to watch the prisoner. 

They had landed upon Reynard's Island, and immediately started for theopposite side, to learn, if possible, what was going on upon theriver. Every thing was as silent as midnight; and the smugglers wereobliged to move very carefully, for the slightest sound--the snappingof a twig or the rustling of a leaf--could be heard at a longdistance. After proceeding a quarter of a mile in this cautiousmanner, they reached the opposite side of the island. 

"Well, " said Ben, after trying in vain to peer through the darkness, "how do matters stand? I wonder if we could not have slipped by theirpolice, and reached the island, before they knew it?"

"No, sir, " said Frank, "not by a good deal. We should certainly havebeen captured. "

"How do you know? I can't see any thing. "

"Neither can I; but listen, and you will _hear_ something. They aretaking their positions. "

The boys remained silent, and the suppressed murmur of voices, thestrokes of muffled oars, and, now and then, a gentle splashing in thewater, as of an anchor dropped carefully overboard, could bedistinctly heard. 

"I am still of the opinion, " said Ben, "that we could run the blockadebefore they could catch us. "

"And I still think that we should get caught, " said Frank. "If weshould attempt to hoist a sail, it could be heard across the river;besides, there is no breeze. "

"Then, try the oars. "

"They would overtake us before we had gone twenty rods. You mustremember that they outnumber us, six to one, and could easily tire usout, or cut us off from the island. Wait until the breeze springs up, and then we will see what we can do. "

"Listen, " whispered Ben, suddenly; "some of the boats are coming downthis way. They are sending a division of the fleet to guard Ducks'Creek. "

And so it proved. The slow, measured strokes of oars came nearer andnearer, and, finally, the tall, raking masts of three of theswiftest-sailing boats in the squadron could be dimly seen moving downthe river toward the creek. As they approached, the smugglersdiscovered that two boys, in a light skiff, led the way, and one ofthem, who proved to be Charles Sheldon, pointed out the position hewished each boat to occupy. The places assigned them were not directlyopposite the mouth of the creek, but a little up the river, and abouttwenty feet from the shore; and this, afterward, proved to be a veryfavorable circumstance for the smugglers. 

"Now, boys, " said Charles, after he had placed the little vessels tohis satisfaction, "keep a good look-out up the river. "

"I should think, " said the captain of the division "that you ought tohave us anchor directly in the mouth of the creek. We shall have agood stiff breeze before long, and the Alert might slip out at anytime, and, before we could hoist a sail, she would be half-way acrossthe river. "

"I don't think she will trouble you down here, " said Charles. "FrankNelson wouldn't be foolish enough to send her out here, for it's agood quarter of a mile below the foot of the island; and, even if shedoes come out here, and succeeds in getting by you, all we will haveto do will be to send a division down to the foot of the island tomeet her there, and then her capture is certain. Now, remember, keepan eye open to everything that goes on up the river. Never mind theSpeedwell and Champion--let them go where they please; but, if you seethe Alert, why, you know what to do. "

And Charles and his attendant pulled back up the river. 

"Now, Ben, " said Frank, "we've heard enough to know that we havefooled them nicely; so let's go back. "

This, however, was no easy undertaking. The way to their boat laythrough bushes that could scarcely be penetrated, even in theday-time. The coast-guards were anchored close by the shore, and theslightest noise would arouse their suspicions. 

Frank led the way on his hands and knees, carefully choosing hisground, and they, at length, succeeded in reaching their boat, withoutdisturbing the coast-guards. 

A few moments' pulling brought them alongside Mr. Butler's wharf, where they found the others waiting for them. 

"What news?" inquired George, as they clambered up out of the boat. 

Frank explained, in a few words, the position of the squadron at themouth of Ducks' Creek, as well as the conversation they had overheard, and also inquired of George the result of his observations. 

"It was too dark to see much, " he answered; "but we could plainly hearthem taking their positions opposite the mouth of the creek. It willbe hard work to get through them, I tell you. "

"How are you going to work it, Frank?" inquired Ben. 

"I'll tell you what I thought of doing, " he answered "By the wayCharley Sheldon spoke, I should judge that he expects to see the Alertstart from Glen's Creek; so, I think, it would be a good plan, as soonas the breeze springs up, to have the Champion and Alert drop downDucks' Creek, and let the former run out and start for the island. The coast-guards will not give chase, of course, but will think it isonly a ruse of ours to make them believe that the Alert is going tostart from the same place, and that will make them watch Glen's Creekcloser than ever, and the Alert will have a chance to get a good startbefore they can hoist their sails, and, while they are after her, Benand I will run out and land our goods. "

"That's the way to do it, " said William, approvingly. "We will foolthem so completely that they will not want to hear of smugglers againfor six months. "

"Let's go and get some breakfast, " said George. "Never go to work onan empty stomach, you know. "

"Yes, come on, " said Harry, taking each of the captive coast-guards bythe arm; "we never feed our prisoners on half rations. "

After "stowing away" a large supply of bread and milk, the smugglers, in company with their prisoners, again repaired to the boat-house. Bythis time it was five o'clock, and the breeze which the coast-guardshad predicted began to spring up, and promised to freshen into acapital "sailing wind. "

In a few moments the _real_ provisions were all packed away, asclosely as possible, in the Speedwell, and the load was as large asshe could well carry, there being scarcely room enough left for theaction of the sails. 

"I guess we are all ready now, " said Frank; "so, Bill, you might aswell drop down Ducks' Creek and sail out. "

"All right, " answered William. 

And he and Thomas clambered down into the boat, with the prisoners, the sails were hoisted, and the Champion was soon hidden from sight bythe tall reeds and bushes that lined the banks of the creek. 

"Now, Harry, " continued Frank, "Ben and I will take our boat and hidebehind the point, and, in about five minutes, you may follow theChampion. "

"Now, make use of your best seamanship, " said Ben. "You can lead thema long chase, if you try. "

"I assure you that we will do our best, " said George. 

The Speedwell's sails were hoisted, and Frank took his seat at thehelm, while Ben placed himself so as to assist in managing the sails. Brave took his usual station in the bow, and they moved slowly downthe creek. 

The point of which Frank had spoken was a long, low neck of land, covered with trees, which completely concealed the mouth of Glen'sCreek. In a few moments they reached this point, and the Speedwell'sbow ran high upon the sand, and the boys sprang out, and hurried overto the other side of the point, to watch the proceedings on the river, while Brave, at his master's command, remained in the boat. Concealingthemselves behind a large log, they waited impatiently for theappearance of the Champion. 

The vessels of the squadron, with the exception of the divisionstationed at the foot of Reynard's Island, were anchored in asemicircle directly before the mouth of Glen's Creek, from which itwas expected that the Alert would start. Each sloop was manned by twoboys, and the schooners had a crew of four. Every one stood at hispost, and was ready to move at the word. 

"They meant to be ready for us, didn't they?" asked Frank. "I wonderif they thought we would be foolish enough to send the Alert out ofthis creek, in the face of all those boats?"

"I don't know, " answered Ben. "I suppose they thought--See there!there goes the Champion. "

Frank looked down the river, and saw that the stanch little sloop hadalready run the blockade, and was standing boldly toward the island. Her appearance was sudden and wholly unexpected and several of thecoast-guards sprang to their feet, and a dozen sails were half-way upthe mast in a twinkling; but, as soon as they discovered that it wasnot the Alert, they quickly returned to their posts, and, in a moment, all the bustle and confusion was over. 

The eye of every boy in the squadron was now directed toward Glen'sCreek, expecting, every moment, to see the schooner round the point. 

The Champion had accomplished, perhaps, half the distance across theriver, when the Alert suddenly shot from Ducks' Creek, and, haulingaround before the wind, ran in between two of the blockading fleet, soclose as to almost graze them, and stood toward the foot of theisland. 

As soon as the coast-guards could recover from their surprise, Charlesshouted, "Up anchor--quick!"

The next moment he called out, "Jim, take your division, and creep down the shore of the island, andbe ready to catch her there, if she gets away from us. "

For a few moments there was a "great hurrying" among the coast-guards. The anchors were drawn up with a jerk, the sails flew up the masts, and the little fleet bore rapidly down upon the smuggler. 

As soon as Frank saw that the race had fairly begun, he exclaimed, "Now's our time, Ben!"

They ran back to their boat, and hastily shoved from the shore, andthe Speedwell, making good her name, was soon plowing the river, inthe direction of the island. 

So intent were the coast-guards upon catching the Alert, that theythought of nothing else; and Frank rounded the head of the island, andlanded, without being discovered. 

Meanwhile, George and Harry were leading their pursuers a long chase. Under their skillful management--standing first on one tack and thenon the other--they had succeeded in outmaneuvering several of theswiftest-sailing vessels in the squadron. 

Two or three small sloops had succeeded in getting between the Alertand the island; but Harry, who was at the helm, did not deem themworthy a moment's notice. He was confident that his schooner, by hersuperior sailing qualities, would soon leave these behind also. 

The smugglers began to grow jubilant over their success, and Georgecalled out, "Where are your men-o'-war now? Throw us a line, and we'll tow you. "

"Come on, you coast-guards, " chimed in Harry. "You will never catchus, at this rate. "

If the smugglers _had_ succeeded in eluding their pursuers, it would, indeed, have been an achievement worth boasting of; but they had todeal with those who were as cunning and skillful as themselves. Charles was not to be beaten so easily; and, although he said nothing, the smugglers saw him smile and shake his head, as if he were certainthat he could yet win the day. 

"Can you discover any fast boats ahead of us, George?" inquired Harry. 

George rose to his feet to take a survey of the squadron, andanswered, "No, there are only two or three little things standing across ourbows, but we'll soon--We're caught, sure as shooting!" he suddenlyexclaimed, changing his tone. "Bring her around before thewind--quick! There's the North Star, Sunshine, and Sampson. We mightas well haul down the sails. "

James Porter's division, which had been "laying to" at the foot ofGlen's Island, now bore down upon the Alert, and George had justdiscovered them; and they were coming on in such a manner that escapewas impossible. 

"Yes, " answered Harry, as soon as he had noted the positions of theapproaching vessels, "we are caught. We began to brag too soon. "

"Well, we don't lose any thing, " said George. "Frank has landed theprovisions long before this. "

"I know it; but still I wish we could have beaten them. "

"What do you think now, Harry?" asked Charles, whose boat wasfollowing close in the wake of the Alert. 

"I think we are done for. "

And, as Harry "luffed in the wind, " George drew down the sails, andgave up the struggle. 

In a moment the little fleet closed about the smuggler, and, toprevent accident, the sails were all hauled down, and the boats laymotionless on the water. 

"I tell you, " said Charles, "you fellows worked it pretty well. "

"Yes, " answered George, as if a little crest-fallen at their defeat. "We did the best we could. "

"I thought we had more provisions than this, " said one of the captainsof the squadron, pulling his boat alongside of the Alert. "I didn'tthink you could get them all in here. "

And he pulled up the covering, and looked under it. 

"They are packed in tight, you see, " said Harry, who wished to keep upthe "sell, " as he called it, as long as possible. 

"What are in these bags?" inquired one. 

"Shavings, " answered George. "We thought we might want to kindle afire for something. "

"I say, George, " said James Porter, standing up in his boat to get agood view of the things in the Alert. "I wish you would feel in mybasket, and get a cup that is in there, and pass it over this way. I'mthirsty. I was so excited, " he continued, taking off his hat andwiping the perspiration from his forehead, "that I sweat as if I hadbeen dumped in the river. There isn't a dry rag on me. "

"Which is your basket?" inquired Harry, struggling hard to suppress alaugh. 

"It's a brown basket, with a white cover, " answered James. 

George and Harry were too full of laughter to trust themselves tospeak; but Charles exclaimed, as he drew aside the covering, "There's no brown basket here. "

"There ought to be, " said one of the coast-guards; "I brought mythings in a brown basket. "

"So did I, " exclaimed another. 

"There's a cheat somewhere, " said James. 

"You haven't done as you agreed, " said Charles. "You promised to carryall the things in one boat. "

"Yes, that's what you agreed to do, " shouted several. 

"And we've kept our promise, " said Harry. 

"Then, where's _my_ basket?" inquired one of the boys, who had failedto discover it among the things in the Alert. 

"I'll bet the Champion carried some of the provisions over, " saidanother, "for there are not half of them here. "

"No, the Champion didn't have a thing in her, " said a third. "Shepassed so close to my boat, that I could have jumped into her, and Itook particular pains to see that she was empty. "

"Well, here are the things that I brought, at any rate, " said Charles, who had just caught sight of the bag which contained, as he supposed, his lemons. "My goodness!" he continued, as he lifted them out of theboat, "how heavy they are!"

And he began to untie the bag, and soon disclosed to the view of thecoast-guards, not the lemons, but almost half a peck of smooth, roundstones. 

George and Harry, who could contain themselves no longer, rolled onthe bottom of the boat, convulsed with laughter; and several readyhands tore off the coverings of the baskets and pails, and they werefound to be empty. 

A more astonished set of boys one never saw; and, as soon as theycould speak, they burst out with a volley of ejaculations that willhardly bear repetition. 

"We've been chasing the wrong boat, " said one. 

"Yes, " answered another, "and I knew it would be so. That FrankNelson is too much of a Yankee for us. "

"The Speedwell--the Speedwell!" shouted another; "keep a good look-outfor her. "

"Oh, you're too late, " said Harry, with a laugh, "the provisions werelanded long ago. "

"I don't believe it. I didn't see any thing of her. "

"Of course you didn't, " said Charles; "you were too intent on catchingthe Alert. Boys, " he continued, "we're fairly beaten. Let's start forthe island. "

The coast-guards silently obeyed, and the smugglers refrained frommaking any remarks, for they saw that the squadron's crew took theirdefeat sorely to heart. 

In a few moments the little fleet rounded the foot of the island, andthe boys discovered the Champion and Speedwell, lying with their bowshigh upon the sand, and their crews were busy carrying the provisionsunder the shade of a large oak, that stood near the water's edge. 

As soon as the last vessel came in sight, the smugglers on shoregreeted them with three hearty cheers, which George and Harry answeredwith a will, but the coast-guards remained silent. 

In a few moments they had all landed, and the smugglers joined theircompanions; and Charles took off his hat, and said to thecoast-guards, "Boys, I want to have just one word with you. We have been beaten, " hecontinued, as they gathered silently about him, "completely outwitted;but it was fairly done. We took all the advantage of the smugglersthat we could, but they have beaten us at our own game. I feel ascheap as any of you do, but it can't be helped now; and there's no useof having unpleasant feelings about it, for that would spoil a goodday's sport. If we didn't catch them, we did our best, and we had agood, exciting race--one that I wouldn't have missed for a good deal. Now, boys, show that you appreciate the good trick that has beenplayed on us, by giving the smugglers three hearty cheers. "

This little speech--showing Charles to be a boy of good feeling--hadthe effect of convincing the coast-guards that to manifest anyill-will at their defeat would be both unkind and selfish, and thecheer that rose from forty strong lungs was almost deafening. Thesmugglers, who had heard what Charles had said, cheered lustily, inturn, for the coast-guards, and instantly every unkind feelingvanished. The coast-guards readily entered into conversation with thesmugglers, and the latter explained the trick of which they had madeuse, as well as the manner in which the capture of the prisoners wasaffected, and the adventure with the police-boat; and, although thecoast-guards were provoked at themselves for "not having more sense, "as they termed it, they could not refrain from joining in a heartylaugh. 

By this time the refreshments had all been carried under the tree ofwhich we have spoken, where there was a smooth grass-plat, which madea nice place to set the table. 

The boys had spent some time relating various incidents that hadoccurred during the chase, when Ben suddenly inquired, "Well, boys, what's to be the order of the day? You know that we cameover here to enjoy ourselves, and we had better be about it. "

"I think, " said Charles, "that it would be a good plan to appoint acommittee to arrange those eatables. We came away without ourbreakfast, and I, for one, feel hungry. "

"There's where we had the advantage of you, " said Thomas. "While youwere hurrying around, and taking your positions, we were eating ourbreakfast. You see, we took matters easy. "

"And beat us, after all, " said one of the coast-guards; "it's too bad. But let's have that committee appointed. "

A dozen boys were speedily chosen to set the table, and the others, catching up all the empty pails and baskets they could find, scatteredover the island in search of strawberries. 

In about an hour they met again under the tree, and found therefreshments all ready for them, and they fell to work in earnest. Sofull were they of their sport, that it took them two hours to eattheir dinner, as they had said they had come to enjoy themselves, andfelt in duty bound to eat all their baskets contained. 

After dinner, one of the smugglers proposed to go squirrel-hunting;but many of the coast-guards had passed the preceding night withoutany sleep, and, to use their own expression, they "didn't feel likeit;" so this project was abandoned, and the boys lay on the grass, under the tree, telling stories, until almost three o'clock, and thenbegan to get ready to start for home. 

CHAPTER X. 

A Queer Cousin. 

As every one knows, it would be almost an impossibility for sixteensail-boats to go any where in company without trying their speed, especially if they were sailed by boys. When our heroes stepped intotheir vessels, each skipper made up his mind that his boat must be thefirst one to touch the opposite shore. Not a word was said about arace, but every one knew that one would be sure to come off. Everything was done in a hurry, and the little vessels were all afloat in amoment. They were on the leeward side of the island--that is, the sidefrom the wind--and they would be obliged to get around to the oppositeside before they could use their sails. 

The coast-guards shoved their boats out into the current, and allowedthemselves to float down toward the foot of the island, thinking thatcourse easier than pulling, against the current, up to the head ofthe island. 

Frank noticed this movement, and said, in a low voice, to thesmugglers, "Don't follow them, boys. They will find themselves becalmed in lessthan a quarter of an hour. The breeze is dying away. If you want tobeat them, hoist your sails, and get out your oars, and row up to thehead of the island; we can reach it before they reach the foot, and, besides, the current will carry them further down the river than theywant to go. "

The smugglers did as Frank had directed; and as they moved from theshore, and turned up the river, one of the coast-guards called out, "Where are you fellows going?"

"Home, " answered Ben. 

"You are taking the longest and hardest way. "

"The longest way around is the nearest way home, you know, " answeredWilliam. 

"I don't believe it is, in this instance, " said James Porter. "Let'ssee who will be at the long dock first. "

"All right, " answered the smugglers. 

And they disappeared behind a high-wooded promontory of the island. 

It was hard work, pulling against a current that ran four miles anhour, but they were accustomed to it, and the thought of againbeating the coast-guards gave strength to their arms. 

In a few moments a sudden filling of the sails announced that they hadcaught the breeze. The oars were drawn in, and every sheet hauledtaut, and, when they rounded the head of the island, not one of thesquadron was in sight. 

"I expected, " said Harry, speaking in a loud voice, so that the otherscould hear, "that they would feel the wind long before this. "

"Even if they had, " answered Frank, "we could have beaten them easilyenough. You see, when they come around the foot of the island, theywill be some distance below the long dock, and the current will carrythem still further down, while we are above it, and can sail rightdown to it. Here they come!"

The boys looked down the river, and saw the men-o'-war rapidlyfollowing each other around the foot of the island. 

"I guess they have discovered their mistake before this time, " saidWilliam. "Now, " he continued, as he drew his mainsail down a littlecloser "the Champion is going to be the first to sail into the creek. "

"That's the game, is it?" said Frank. "Ben, perch yourself up on thewindward side, and we'll see which is the best boat. "

Ben did as he was desired, and the little vessels increased theirspeed, and bounded over the gentle swells as if some of their crews'spirit had been infused into them. They had started nearly even--theAlert and Champion being a little in advance of the Speedwell--and theboys knew that the race was to be a fair trial of the speed of theirboats. The Alert and Speedwell had never been "matched" before, andthe boys were anxious to learn their comparative speed. The former wasthe "champion" boat of the village, and Harry and George wereconfident that Frank's "tub, " as they jokingly called it, would soonbe distanced. Frank thought so, too; but the reputation of owning theswiftest boat in the village was well worth trying for, and hedetermined to do his best. 

Since his race with the Champion, he had made larger sails for hisboat, and added a flying-jib and a gaff-topsail, and he found that herspeed was almost doubled. 

The Champion soon fell behind, and the two rival boats were left tofinish the race, which, for a long time, seemed undecided. But, atlength, the Speedwell, with her strong mast groaning and creakingunder the weight of the heavy canvas, began to gain steadily, and soonpassed the Alert. Ten minutes' run brought them across the river; andwhen Frank, proud of the victory he had gained, rounded the long dock, the Alert was full four rods behind. 

The breeze was rapidly dying away, and not one of the coast-guards hadyet reached the shore. Some of them had been carried almost a milebelow the creek, and lay with the sails idly flapping against themasts. 

Frank and Ben sailed slowly along up the creek, and, when they arrivedat the end of the dock, the Speedwell was "made fast, " and the boysstarted to get their mail. 

As they entered the post-office, Frank stepped up to the"pigeon-hole, " and the postmaster handed him two letters; one wasaddressed to his mother, and the other bore his own name, written in afull, round, school-boy's hand. 

"Ben, " he exclaimed, as he broke the seal, "I've got a letter fromArchie. I wrote to him a month ago; I should think it was about timeto get an answer. "

"See if he says any thing about getting a letter from me, " said Ben. "I haven't heard from him in a long time. "

Before proceeding further, it may not be improper to say a word aboutArchie Winters. He was, as we have already said, Frank's cousin, andlived in the city of Portland. He was just Frank's age, and, like him, was kind and generous; but he was not the boy for books. When inschool, he was an obedient and industrious pupil, and learned veryreadily; but, when four o'clock came, he was the first to lay asidehis books. He was very fond of rural sports, and, for a city boy, wasa very expert hunter; he even considered himself able to compete withFrank. He was also passionately fond of pets, and, if he could havehad his own way, he would have possessed every cat and dog in thecity. His father was a wealthy ship-builder, and Archie was an onlychild. But he was not, as is generally the case, spoiled byindulgence; on the contrary, his parents always required his promptand cheerful obedience, and, when out of their sight, Archie was verycareful to do nothing of which he thought his parents would notapprove. Every vacation he paid a visit to his cousin, and sometimesstaid until late in the winter, to engage in his favorite sport. Hewas well known to the village boys, among whom his easy and obligingmanners had won many a steadfast friend. 

But let us now return to the letter, which ran as follows:

 PORTLAND, _June_ 28, 18--. 

 DEAR COUSIN: Your letter of the 16th of last month was duly received, and, I suppose, you think it is about time for me to answer it. They say that a person who is good at making excuses is good for nothing else; but, I suppose, you will expect some apology for my seeming neglect. You perhaps remember hearing your mother speak of James Sherman, a cousin whom we had never seen. About two weeks since, father received a letter from his mother, stating that she and James would be at our house in about three days. Well, they came agreeably to notice, and I have had the pleasure of entertaining our cousin ever since. I have had to pilot him around, and show him all the sights, and I have had time for nothing else. 

 I will not tell you what sort of a fellow he is; I will leave you to judge of his general character, etc. He and his mother are now on their way to Lawrence, and they expect to be at your house about the 6th (July). They intend to remain about two weeks. When I saw them getting into the train, and knew that in a few days they would be with you, I wanted very much to accompany them. But mother says _one_ noisy boy in the house is sufficient. (I wonder whether she means you or James!) But as soon as they have ended their visit, if nothing happens, you may expect to see our family landing from the Julia Burton, some fine morning. I have been pent up in the city now almost six months, and I am impatient to get into the country again--especially among the trout-streams about your quiet little village. 

 I have often thought of the sport we had the day we went up to Dungeon Brook. I know it rained hard, but the string of trout we caught beat any thing of the kind I ever happened to see. 

 But I've got some good news for you. Father has decided to spend part of the winter at Uncle Joe's, and he promises to take you and me with him; so you can begin to pack up your duds as soon as you wish. 

 That trout-pole you made for me last winter met with a serious accident a few days since. One of my schoolmates invited me to go up the river with him, and try a perch-bed he had accidentally discovered. I had sent off my heavy pole to the painters, so I was obliged to take my trout-pole. I was afraid that I should break it, but it behaved beautifully for about two hours, during which time I drew in sixty fine perch and rock-bass--some of the former weighing between one and two pounds--and I began to think that the pole was too tough to break. But I was very soon convinced of my mistake, for, as bad luck would have it, I hooked on to a black-bass. I thought I handled him very carefully, but, before we could land him, he broke my pole in three pieces; but the line held, and he was soon floundering in the boat. He was a fine fellow--a regular "sockdologer"--weighing six pounds and a half. But I heartily wished him safe in the bottom of the river. I have laid the pole away, and intend to bring it to you for repairs. 

 But it is ten o'clock, and father suggests that, if I wish to get to the post-office before the mail closes, I had "better make tracks. " So I must stop. Love to all. 

 Yours affectionately, A. Winters. 

 P. S. --Please tell Ben and Harry that I will answer their letters immediately. A. W. 

By this time the rest of the smugglers had arrived, and, as soon asFrank had run his eye over the letter, and began to fold it up, Georgeinquired, "Well, what does he say? Did he receive Harry's letter?"

"Yes, and also one from Ben. He says he will answer them at once. "

After a few moments' conversation, the boys separated, and started forhome, expressing themselves highly delighted at Frank's way ofspending the Fourth. 

The day on which Mrs. Sherman and her son were expected at lengtharrived. As a fine breeze was blowing, Frank and his sister--accompanied, of course, by Brave--stepped into the Speedwell, and started to enjoy asail on the river. 

It was now the summer vacation, and the boys were determined to haveplenty of recreation after their long siege of study; and, when Frankreached the mouth of the creek, he found the river dotted with whitesails as far as he could see. Several of the boats had started onfishing excursions, but the majority of them were sailing idly about, as if nothing particular had been determined on. 

Frank turned the Speedwell's head down the river, and soon joined thelittle fleet. He had hoisted every stitch of canvas his boat couldcarry, and she flew along, passing several of the swiftest vessels, and finally encountered the Alert. The race was short, for theSpeedwell easily passed her, and George and Harry were compelled toacknowledge that, to use their own expression, "the Alert wasnowhere. "

In about two hours the Julia Burton was seen rounding the point, and aloud, clear whistle warned the villagers of her approach. Frank turnedthe Speedwell toward home, and arrived at the wharf about ten minutesafter the steamer had landed. 

As they sailed along up the creek, Julia suddenly exclaimed, "I wonder who those people are!"

Frank turned, and saw a lady just getting into a carriage, and a boy, apparently about his own age, stood by, giving orders, in a loudvoice, to the driver, about their baggage. Both were dressed in thehight of fashion, and Frank knew, from the description his aunt hadgiven his mother, that they were the expected visitors. 

As soon as the boy had satisfied himself that their baggage was safe, he continued, in a voice loud enough to be heard by Frank and hissister, "Now, driver, you're sure you know where Mrs. Nelson lives?"

"Yes, sir, " answered the man, respectfully. 

"Well, then, old beeswax, hurry up. Show us how fast your cobs cantravel. "

So saying, he sprang into the carriage, and the driver closed the doorafter him, mounted to his seat, and drove off. 

"Why, " said Julia, in surprise, "I guess that's Aunt Harriet--don'tyou?"

"Yes, " answered her brother, "I know it is. "

"I am afraid I shall not like James, " continued Julia; "he talks tooloud. "

Frank did not answer, for he was of the same opinion. He had inferredfrom Archie's letter that James would prove any thing but an agreeablecompanion. 

The brisk wind that was blowing carried them rapidly along, and, in afew moments, they came to a place where the road ran along close tothe creek. The distance to Mrs. Nelson's, by the road, was greater, bya quarter of a mile, than by the creek, and, consequently, they hadgained considerably on the carriage. Soon they heard the rattling ofwheels behind them, and the hack came suddenly around a turn in theroad. 

James was leaning half-way out of the window, his cap pushed on oneside of his head, and, not knowing Frank, he accosted him, as he cameup, with his favorite expression. 

"Hallo, old beeswax! Saw-logs must have been cheap when you had thatboat built. You've got timber enough there to finish off a good-sizedbarn. "

Frank, of course, made no reply; and, in a moment more, the hack wasout of sight. 

They soon reached the wharf, in front of the house, and Frank helpedJulia out, and, after making his boat fast, started toward the house, and entered the room where their visitors were seated. 

His aunt's greeting was cold and distant, and she acted as if herevery motion had been thoroughly studied. James's acknowledgment wasscarcely more than agreeable. To Frank's inquiry, "How do you do, sir?" he replied, "Oh, I'm bully, thank you, old beeswax. Not you the cod I twigged[A]navigating that scow up the creek?"

[Footnote A: Saw. ]

Frank acknowledged himself to be the person, and James continued, "I suppose she's the champion yacht, isn't she?"

"Yes, " answered Frank, "she is. There's no boat about the village thatcan beat her. "

"Ah, possibly; but, after all, you had better tell that to themarines. I've seen too much of the world to have a country chap stuffme, now I tell you, old beeswax. "

We will not particularize upon James's visit. It will suffice torelate one or two incidents that will illustrate his character. 

A day or two after his arrival, he discovered the schooner standing onFrank's bureau, and he could not be contented until he should see "howshe carried herself in the water, " and Frank, reluctantly, carried itdown to the creek and set it afloat. 

For a few moments James seemed to have forgotten his evilpropensities, and they amused themselves by sailing the schooner fromone side of the creek to the other. But he very soon grew tired ofthis "lame, unexciting sport, " as he called it, and, gathering up anarmful of stones, he began to throw them into the water near theboat, shouting, "Storm on the Atlantic! See her rock!"

"Please don't, James, " urged Frank; "I'm afraid you will hit theschooner. "

"No fear of that, " answered James, confidently, still continuing tothrow the stones; "I can come within a hair's-breadth of her, and nottouch her. Now, see. "

And, before Frank could speak, away flew a large stone, with greatforce, and, crashing through the mainsail of the little vessel, brokeboth masts and the bowsprit short off. 

"There, " exclaimed Frank, "I was afraid you would do that. "

James did not appear to be in the least sorry for it, but he skippedup the bank, shouting, in an insulting tone, "There's your boat, old beeswax. When do you expect her in port?"

Frank did not answer, but drew what remained of the schooner to theshore, and, taking it under his arm, started for his shop, saying, "Now, that's a nice cousin for a fellow to have. I'll do my best totreat him respectfully while he stays, but I shall not be sorry whenthe time comes to bid him good-by. "

And that time was not far distant. James often complained to hismother that Frank was a "low-minded, mean fellow, " and urged animmediate departure. His mother always yielded to his requests, orrather _demands_, no matter how unreasonable they might be; and theyhad scarcely made a visit of a week, when they announced theirintention of leaving Lawrence by the "next boat. "

On the day previous to their departure, Mrs. Nelson had occasion tosend Frank to the village for some groceries, and, as a favorable windwas blowing, he decided to go in his boat. But, before starting, hemanaged to slip away from James long enough to write a few lines toArchie, urging him to come immediately. 

Frank intended to start off without James's knowledge; but the uneasyfellow was always on the look-out, and, seeing his cousin goingrapidly down the walk, with a basket on each arm, and his dog--which, like his master, had not much affection for James--he shouted, "Hallo, old beeswax, where are you bound for?"

"For the village, " answered Frank. 

"Are you going to take the tow-path?"

"The tow-path! I don't know what you mean. "

"Are you going to ride shanks' horses?"

"I don't understand that, either. "

"Oh, you are a bass-wood man, indeed, " said James, with a tauntinglaugh. "Are you going to _walk_? Do you think you can comprehend menow?"

"Yes, " answered Frank, "I can understand you when you talk English. No, I am not going to walk. "

"Then I'll go with you, if you will leave that dog at home. "

"I don't see what objections you can have to his company. He alwaysgoes with me. "

"I suppose you think more of him than you do of your relations; butI'm going with you, at any rate. "

And he quickened his pace to overtake Frank. 

While his cousin was hoisting the sails, James deliberately seatedhimself in the stern of the boat, and took hold of the tiller. 

"Do you understand managing a sail-boat?" inquired Frank, as he stoodready to cast off the painter. 

"If any one else had asked me that question, " answered James, with anair of injured dignity, "I should have considered it an insult. Ofcourse I _do_. "

"All right, then, " said Frank, as he pushed the boat from the wharf. "Go ahead. We shall be obliged to tack a good many times, going downbut we can sail back like a book, and--"

"Oh, you teach your grandmother, will you?" interrupted James. "I'vesailed more boats than you ever saw. "

Frank, at first, did not doubt the truth of this assertion, for Jameslived in a seaport town, and had had ample opportunity to learn how tomanage a yacht; but they had not made twenty feet from the wharf, whenhe made up his mind that his cousin had never before attempted to actas skipper. 

Instead of keeping as close as possible to the wind, as he should havedone, he turned the boat's head first one way and then another, and, of course, made no headway at all. 

"I never saw such a tub as this, " said James, at length; "I can't makeher mind her helm. "

Just at this moment a strong gust of wind filled the sails, and, asJames was not seaman enough to "luff" or "let go the sheet, " theSpeedwell same very near capsizing. As she righted, the wind againfilled the sails, and the boat was driven with great speed toward theshore. Frank had barely time to pull up the center-board before herbows ran high upon the bank, and the sheet was roughly jerked fromJames's hand, and flapped loudly against the mast. 

"There, " said Frank, turning to his cousin, who sat, pale with terror, "I guess it's a long time since you attempted to sail a boat; you seemto have forgotten how, I tell you, " he continued as he noticedJames's trepidation, "if I hadn't pulled up that center-board just asI did, we should have been obliged to swim for it. "

"I can't swim, " said James, in a weak voice. 

"Then you would have been in a fix, " said Frank. "Now, let me see if Ican have any better luck. "

James very willingly seated himself on one of the middle thwarts, andFrank pushed the boat from the shore, and took hold of the tiller, and, under his skillful management, the Speedwell flew through thewater like a duck. 

James soon got over his fright, and his uneasy nature would not allowhim to remain long inactive, and, as he could find nothing else to do, he commenced to rock the boat from one side to the other, and, as shewas "heeling" considerably, under the weight of her heavy canvas, thewater began to pour in over her side. Although the speed of the boatwas greatly diminished, Frank, for some time, made no complaint, hoping that his cousin would soon grow tired of the sport. But Jamesdid not seem inclined to cease, and Frank, at length, began toremonstrate. 

He reminded James that it would not require much to capsize the boat, and, as the creek was very deep, and as he (James) had said he couldnot swim, he might be a "gone sucker. "

This, at first, had the effect of making James more careful, but hesoon commenced again as bad as ever. 

Brave was seated in his usual place, and directly behind James. Heseemed to dislike the rocking of the boat as much as his master, buthe bore it very patiently for awhile, thinking, no doubt, that thebest way to deal with James was to "let him severely alone. " But therocking increased, and Brave began to slide from one side of the boatto the other. This was enough to upset his patience; and, encouraged, perhaps, by some sly glances from Frank, he sprang up, and, placing apaw on each shoulder of his tormentor, barked fiercely, close to hisear. 

James screamed loudly; and Brave, evidently thinking he had punishedhim enough, returned to his seat. 

"Let me ashore, " shouted James; "I shan't stay in here any longer. "

Frank gladly complied, and, the moment the Speedwell's bows touchedthe bank, James sprang out. 

"I wouldn't risk my life in that tub again for any money, " he shouted;"you may bet on that, old beeswax. "

Frank made no reply, but pushed the boat from the shore again as soonas possible. 

James now felt safe; and, gathering up a handful of stones, determined to wreak his vengeance on Brave. The sensibleNewfoundlander, at first, paid no attention to this cowardly assault;but the stones whizzed by in unpleasant proximity, now and thenstriking the sail or the side of the boat, and he began to manifesthis displeasure, by showing his teeth and growling savagely. 

Frank stood it as long as possible, knowing that the best plan was toremain silent; but James continued to follow the boat, and the stonesstruck all around the object of his vengeance. 

"I wish you wouldn't do that, " said Frank, at length. 

"You do, eh?" said James. "How are you going to hinder it? But perhapsyou would rather have me throw at you. "

And, picking up a large stone, he hurled it at his cousin with greatforce. It fell into the creek, close to the boat, and splashed thewater all over Frank. 

This seemed to enrage Brave more than ever, and he sprang into thewater, and swam toward the shore, and no amount of scolding on Frank'spart could induce him to return. James, fearing that he was about tobe punished in a way he had not thought of, turned and took to hisheels. 

At this moment a loud shout was heard, and several boys sprang overthe fence into the road, and James was speedily overtaken andsurrounded. They were a ragged, hard-looking set of fellows, and Frankknew that they were the Hillers; besides, he recognized the foremostof them as Lee Powell. They had their fishing-rods on their shoulders, and each boy carried in his hand a long string of trout. 

"Look'e here, you spindle-shanked dandy, " said Lee, striding up andlaying hold of James's collar with no friendly hand, "does yer knowwho yer was a heavin' rocks at? Shall we punch him for yer?" he added, turning to Frank. 

"No, " answered Frank; "let him go; he's my cousin. "

Lee accordingly released him, and James said, in a scarcely audiblevoice, "I was only in fun. "

"Oh, only playin', was yer?" said Lee; "that alters the case'tirely--don't it, Pete?"

The boy appealed to nodded his assent, and Lee continued, "We thought yer was in blood arnest. If yer _had_ been, we wouldn't aleft a grease-spot of yer--would we, Pete?"

"Mighty cl'ar of us, " answered Pete. 

As soon as James found himself at liberty, he started toward home atfull speed, hardly daring to look behind him. Brave had by this timegained the shore, and was about to start in pursuit, but a few sharpwords from Frank restrained him. 

"Whar are yer goin'?" inquired Lee, walking carelessly down the bank. 

"I'm going to the village, " answered Frank. 

"Will yer give a feller a ride?"

"Certainly. Jump in. "

The Hillers accordingly clambered into the boat, and, in a fewmoments, they reached the wharf, at the back of the post-office. 

Lee and his companions immediately sprang out, and walked off, withoutsaying a word; and Frank, after fastening his boat to the wharf, beganto pull down the sails, when he discovered that the Hillers had lefttwo large strings of trout behind them. 

Hastily catching them up, he ran around the corner of the post-office, and saw Lee and his followers, some distance up the road. 

"Hallo!" he shouted, at the top of his lungs; "Lee Powell!"

But they paid no attention to him. 

"I know they heard me, " said Frank. 

And he shouted again, but with no better success. 

At length, one of the village boys, who was coming across the fields, with a basket of strawberries on his arm, shouted to the Hillers, and, when he had gained their attention, pointed toward Frank, "See here!" Frank shouted, as he held up the fish; "you have forgottenthese. "

"No, I guess not, " shouted Lee, in reply. "We Hillers don't forgetfavors as easy as all that comes to. Ye're welcome to 'em. "

And he and his companions walked rapidly off. 

CHAPTER XI. 

Trout-Fishing. 

A few days after the events related in the preceding chaptertranspired, Frank, with one or two companions, was standing in thepost-office, waiting for the opening of the mail. The steamer had justlanded, and the passengers which she had brought were slowly walkingtoward the hotel, where they intended to take dinner. At length, avillage hack came rapidly down the road leading from the wharf, and, when it came opposite the post-office, a head was suddenly thrust outat the window, the driver reined in his horses, the door flew open, and Archie Winters sprang out. 

We shall not attempt to describe the meeting of the cousins, nor thejoy that prevailed among the village boys at the arrival of their cityfriend. 

Archie had not written that it was his intention to come so soon, andhis sudden appearance among them took them completely by surprise. 

After a few moments' conversation, Frank and Archie got into thecarriage, and, in a short time, were set down at the door of Mrs. Nelson's house. 

Frank's mother and sister expressed much joy at Archie's arrival, and, after the excitement of meeting was over, they inquired after hisparents. 

"When are they coming?" asked Frank. 

"They intended to come in the fall, " answered Archie, "but father hasmore business on his hands than he expected, and they may not be herebefore the holidays; but I couldn't wait. "

"I'm glad you didn't, " said Frank. "You are not going home beforespring, are you?"

"No, " said Archie, "I'm going to stay as long as you will keep me. "

Frank was overjoyed at this, and, if he had not been in the house, hewould have given, as he said, "a yell that would have done credit toan Indian. "

But, before going further, we must say a word about Archie'scompanions--we mean his dogs. One of them, that answered to the nameof Sport, was as fine a fox-hound as one would wish to see. He was alarge, tan-colored animal, very fleet and courageous, and was wellacquainted with all the tricks of his favorite game, and the boysoften boasted that "Sport had never lost a fox in his life. " The blackfox, which had held possession of Reynard's Island so long, wascaptured by Frank and his cousin, with the assistance of Sport, aftera chase of three hours. Lightfoot--for that was the name of theother--was an English grayhound. He stood full three feet high at theshoulders, and his speed was tremendous. He was young, however, andknew nothing about hunting; but he had been taught to "fetch andcarry, " and, as he learned very readily, the boys expected plenty ofsport in training him. 

After supper, Archie's trunk was carried into the "study, " and theboys busied themselves in taking out its contents. The clothing wasall packed away in the bureau; and then came Archie's "sportingcabinet, " as he called it--a fine double-barreled shot-gun, which washung upon the frame at the foot of the bed; a quantity of ammunition, a small hatchet, powder-flasks, shot bags, and a number of otherthings, which were stowed away in safe places. 

At length Archie drew out two fish-poles, neatly stowed away in strongbags, and one of them proved to be the one about which Archie hadwritten. This was placed away in one corner, and Frank promised tomend it immediately. 

"See here, " said Archie, as he drew out two queer-looking implements;"I have been acting on the suggestion of Uncle Joe Lewis. "

"What are they?" inquired Frank. 

One of them was a thin rod of steel, about three feet in length, verypointed and sharp at the end the other looked very much like afish-spear, only the "tines" were smaller and sharper. 

"They are spears, " said Archie, in answer to Frank's question. 

"So I see; but what use can you put them to?"

"This, " said Archie, taking up the rod of steel, "is a mink-spear. Last winter we lost a good many minks, when, if we had had aninstrument like this, we could have secured them easily enough. Youknow that sometimes you get a mink into a place where you can see him, but, if you go to work to chop a hole large enough to get a stick into kill him, he will jump out before you know what you are about. Youwill remember a little incident of this kind that happened lastwinter--that day we had such good luck. We were following a mink upthe creek on the ice, when Brave suddenly stopped before a hollowstub, and stuck his nose into a hole, and acted as if there was a minkin there; and, you know, we didn't believe there was, but we thoughtwe could stop and see. So we cut a hole in the stub, and, sure enough, there was a mink, and, as good luck would have it, we had cut the holeclose to the place where he was, and we thought we had him sure; and, while Harry Butler went to cut a stick to kill him with, I chopped thehole a little larger, so that we could see him plainer, when, all of asudden, out popped the mink, and, before we could say 'scat, ' it wasunder the ice. "

"Yes, " said Frank, "I remember it very well; and, I guess, there weresome mad boys around that place, somewhere. "

"Yes, " said Archie, "I was provoked because it was all my fault thatwe lost him. If we had had this spear, we could have killed him easyenough. We wouldn't be obliged to cut a hole larger than an inchsquare, and no mink I ever saw could get through that. And this, " hecontinued, taking up the other instrument, "is a muskrat-spear. Theway to proceed is this: Go to a muskrat's house, and, with an ax, cuta chunk out of the top, directly over where they sleep. "

"And, by the time you get that done, " said Frank, with a laugh, "themuskrats will be out of your way. "

"I know that; they will undoubtedly start off the first blow youstrike, and swim to some breathing-hole; but in a quarter of an hourthey will be sure to return. While they are gone, you will have plentyof time to cut the chunk, and, after taking it out, place it carefullyback, in such a manner that it can be removed instantly; then, ifthere are any other houses near, serve them in the same way. Then, inhalf an hour or so, take your spear and go to the houses, making aslittle noise at possible, and let your companion lift out the chunksuddenly, and you be ready to strike. Father says he has seen UncleJoe Lewis catch half a dozen in one house, in this way, veryfrequently. He always spears the one nearest the passage that leadsfrom the house down into the water, and this will prevent the othersfrom escaping. "

"I don't much like the idea, " said Frank. 

"Neither do I, " said Archie. "It will do well enough for those whomake their living by hunting; but, if I want to hunt muskrats, I wouldrather wait until the ice breaks up, in spring; I can then shoot themquite fast enough to suit me, and the sport is more exciting. "

One morning, about a week after Archie's arrival, they arose, asusual, very early, and, while they were dressing, Frank drew aside thecurtain, and looked out. 

"I say, Archie, " he exclaimed, "you've got your wish; it's afirst-rate morning to go trout-fishing. "

Archie had been waiting impatiently for a cloudy day; he was very fondof trout-fishing, and he readily agreed to his cousin's proposal to"take a trip to Dungeon Brook, " and they commenced pulling on their"hunting and fishing rig, " as they called it, which consisted of apair of stout pantaloons that would resist water and dirt to the lastextremity, heavy boots reaching above their knees, and a blue flannelshirt. 

While Archie was getting their fishing-tackle ready, Frank busiedhimself in placing on the table in the kitchen such eatables as hecould lay his hands on, for he and his cousin were the only ones up. 

Their breakfast was eaten in a hurry; and, after drawing on theirIndia-rubber coats--for Frank said it would rain before theyreturned--they slung on their fish-baskets, and took their trout-polesin their hands, and started out. 

Dungeon Brook lay about five miles distant, through the woods. It wasa long tramp, over fallen logs and through thick bushes; but it wasfamous for its large trout, and the boys knew they would be wellrepaid for their trouble. 

In about two hours they arrived at their destination; and, afterpartaking of a lunch, which Frank had brought, they rigged their"flies, " and Archie went up the brook a little distance, to try aplace known among the boys as the "old trout-hole, " while Frankdropped his hook down close to a large log that lay across the stream, near the place where he was standing. The bait sank slowly toward thebottom, when, suddenly, there was a tremendous jerk, and the linewhizzed through the water with a force that bent the tough, elasticpole like a "reed shaken with the wind. " Frank was a skillfulfisherman, and, after a few moments' maneuvering, a trout weighingbetween three and four pounds lay floundering on the bank. 

Archie soon came up, having been a little more successful, as twogood-sized fish were struggling in his basket. 

They walked slowly down the brook, stopping now and then to try somefavorite spot, and, about three o'clock in the afternoon, they reachedthe place where the brook emptied into Glen's Creek, and were abouttwo miles from home. They had been remarkably successful; theirbaskets were filled, and they had several "sockdologers" strung on abranch, which they carried in their hands. 

After dropping their hooks for a few moments among the perch, at themouth of the brook, they unjointed their poles, and started towardhome, well satisfied with their day's work. 

The next day, as Frank and Archie were on their way to the village, onfoot--the wind being contrary, they could not sail--they met Georgeand Harry, who had started to pay them a visit. 

"Hallo, boys!" exclaimed the former, as soon as they came withinspeaking distance, "we've got news for you. "

"And some that you will not like to hear, Frank, " said Harry, with alaugh. 

"What is it?" inquired Archie. 

"Why, you know, Charley Morgan, some time since, sent to New York fora couple of sail-boats, a sloop and schooner. They arrived yesterday, and he thinks they are something great, and says the Speedwell isnowhere. "

"Yes, " chimed in Harry, "he said, when those boats came, he would showus 'country chaps' some sailing that would make us open our eyes; but, come to find out, they are perfect tubs. I saw the sloop coming up thecreek, and she made poor headway. The Alert can beat her all hollow, with only the foresail hoisted. "

During the conversation the boys had been walking toward the village, and, in a few moments, they reached the dock behind the post-office, where the two new boats lay. One of them was a short, "dumpy, "sloop-rigged boat, with no deck or center-board, and the other was abeautifully-modeled schooner. 

"What do you think of them?" inquired Harry, after they had regardedthem several moments. 

"Well, " answered Archie, "I have seen a good many boats like these inNew York, but I don't think they will do much here. That schooner mayshow some fine sailing qualities, but that sloop will prove to be theslowest boat about the village; she is altogether too short. Take itwhere the waves are long and regular, and she will do well enough buthere in the river, where the waves are all chopped up, she can'taccomplish much. "

"That's your private opinion, expressed here in this public manner, isit?" said a sneering voice. "You have made a fine show of yourignorance. "

The boys turned, and saw Charles Morgan and several of the Rangersstanding close by. 

"If I didn't know more about yachts than that, " continued Charles, "I'd go home and soak my head. "

This remark was greeted by the Rangers with a loud laugh; and Archie, who, like Frank, was a very peaceable fellow, said, "Every one to his own way of thinking, you know. "

"Certainly, " answered Charles; "but, if I was as much of a blockheadas you are, I'd be careful to keep my thoughts to myself. "

Archie did not answer, for he knew it would only add fuel to the fire;for Charles's actions indicated that he was bent on getting up aquarrel. He had determined to make another attempt to "settleaccounts" between himself and Frank. 

"I'll bet you fifty dollars, " said Charles, "that there are not half adozen boats about the village that can beat that sloop. "

"I'm not in the habit of betting, " answered Archie; "but, if you willfind a boat about the village that _can't_ beat her, I'll eat yoursloop. "

"You are green, indeed, " said Charles. "Now, what do you suppose thatsloop cost me?"

"Well, " answered Archie, thrusting his hands deep into his pockets, "Ithink ten dollars would foot the bill. "

Archie said this in so comical a manner that Frank and the otherscould not refrain from laughing outright. 

Charles was angry in an instant, and, quick as thought, he sprangforward and seized Archie. But he soon discovered that he hadundertaken more than he could accomplish; for his antagonist, thoughconsiderably smaller than himself, was possessed of enormous strength, and was as active as a cat, and he glided like an eel from Charles'sgrasp, and, seizing him by both wrists, held him fast. After a fewdesperate, but ineffectual, attempts to free himself, Charles shoutedto the Rangers, who had been bustling about in a state of considerableexcitement, but very prudently keeping in the background, "Help, help, you cowards!"

But nothing could induce them to attempt the rescue. 

At this moment a boat, which had entered the creek unnoticed by theboys, drew up to the dock, and a strong, cheery voice, called out, "Hang on to him, little fellow--hang on to him. We've got a few littlematters to settle up. "

And Leo Powell came running toward them, with half a dozen of hisragged followers close at his heels. 

"Oh, let me go, " cried Charles, turning very pale, and writhing andtwisting in the strong grasp that held him; "I'll be civil to youafter this, only don't let them get hold of me; they will half killme. "

Archie accordingly released his captive, but the Hillers were so closeto him that Charles dare not run, and he remained close to Frank forprotection, while the rest of the Rangers beat a precipitate retreat. 

"Here, Pete, hold my coat, " said Lee, tossing his tattered garment toone of his companions; "I'll show this Cap'n Regulator that some folksare as good as others. "

And he advanced toward Charles, and commenced rolling up his sleeves. 

"No, Lee, " said Frank, placing himself before the frightened Ranger, "you mustn't touch him. "

"Mustn't touch him!" repeated Lee, in surprise. "Why, wasn't he jesttryin' to wallop your friend here?"

"Oh, he's able to defend himself, " answered Frank. 

"Then he's all right. But I haven't paid for trying to Regulate me, that night. "

"He didn't do it, did he?" inquired Frank. 

"No, 'cause you fellows wouldn't let him. "

"Then, we don't want you to whip him now. "

"Wal, if you say so, I won't; but he oughter be larnt bettermanners--hadn't he, Pete?"

"'Course, " was Pete's laconic answer. 

"Now, Charley, " said Archie, "you may take yourself off as soon as youwish; they will not hurt you. "

"Not this time, " said Lee, shaking his hard fist in Charles's face;"but we may come acrost you some time when you hasn't nobody to standup for you; then you had better look out--hadn't he, Pete?"

"Hadn't he, though!" was the answer. 

Charles did not need any urging, and he was quickly out of sight. 

"I'd like to see you jest a minit, Frank, " said Lee, as the former wasabout to move away. 

Frank drew off on one side, and the Hiller continued, "I promised I'd allers be a friend to you fellers that stood up for methat night, and I want to let you see that I haven't forgot mypromise. I know that I can't do much for you, but I jest want to showyou that I allers remember favors. "

Here he turned, and made a motion to one of his companions, who dartedoff to the boat, and soon returned, bringing a young otter in hisarms. 

"I allers heerd, " continued Lee, as his companion came up, "that youhave a reg'lar hankerin' arter ketchin' and tamin' wild varmints. Now, we want you to take this as a present from us. I know it ain't much, but, arter all, a young otter is a thing a feller can't ketch everyday. Will you take it?"

"Certainly, " answered Frank, as he took the little animal in his arms. "I have long wished for an otter, and I thank--"

"Hold on there, " interrupted Lee. "Keep your thanks for them as needsthem, or likes to hear 'em. We Hillers have got feelings as well asany body. It's our way of bringin' up that makes us so bad. Now, good-by; and, if you ever want any thing, jest call on Lee Powell. "

And he and his companions walked rapidly toward their boat, and soondisappeared. 

CHAPTER XII. 

A Deer-Hunt on the Water. 

The next morning, after breakfast, Frank and his cousin, accompaniedby the dogs, got into the skiff, and pulled up the creek, on a"prospecting expedition. " They had started for the swamp, which layabout two miles and a half from the cottage, to see what the prospectswere for a good muskrat-hunt in the spring. This swamp covered, perhaps, five hundred acres, and near its center was a small lake, which emptied into Glen's Creek. 

A few moments' pulling brought them to this lake, and Frank, who wasseated at the helm, turned the boat's head toward a high point thatprojected for some distance out into the lake, and behind which alittle bay set back into the land. This point was the only high landabout the swamp, and stretched away back into the woods for severalmiles. It was a favorite place for sunfish and perch; and the boyslanded, and were rigging their poles, intending to catch some fortheir dinner, when they heard a strange noise, that seemed to comefrom the bay behind the point. They knew in a moment that it was madeby a duck, but still it was a sound they had never heard before, and, hunter-like, they determined to discover where it came from. So, reaching for their guns, they crawled carefully through the bushes, until they came within sight of the bay. A brood of young ducks, underthe direction of two old ones, were sporting about among the broadleaves of the water-lilies. They had never seen any like them before;but Frank knew in a moment, from descriptions he had often read, thatthey were eider-ducks, and he determined, if possible, to capture someof the young ones, which, he noticed, were but half-fledged, and toosmall to fly. But the question was how to proceed. If the ducklingscould not fly, they could swim like a streak; and he knew that, themoment they were alarmed, they would either make for the opposite sideof the bay or for the lake, and, if they succeeded in reaching theopen water, he might whistle for his ducks. 

His only chance was to corner them in the bay; they would then beobliged to hide among the lilies, and perhaps they might succeed incapturing some of them. 

Hurriedly whispering to his cousin, they crept back to the skiff, pulled around the point, and entered the bay. The moment they came insight, the old ones uttered their cries of warning, took to wing, andflew out over the lake, and, as they had expected, the young onesdarted in among the lilies, and were out of sight in an instant. Butthe boys had kept their eyes open, and knew about where to look forthem; and, after half an hour's chase, they succeeded in securingthree of them with the dip-net. 

After tying them up in their caps, Frank pulled leisurely along out ofthe bay, and was just entering the lake, when Archie, who wassteering, suddenly turned the boat toward the shore, and said, in ascarcely audible whisper, "A deer--a deer! sure as I live!"

Frank looked in the direction his cousin indicated, and saw a largebuck standing in the edge of the water, not twenty rods from them. Luckily he had not heard their approach, and Frank drew the boatcloser under the point, to watch his motions. 

They were a good deal excited, and Archie's hand trembled like a leaf, as he reached for his gun. 

Another lucky circumstance was, that the dogs had not discovered him. Brave and Hunter could have been kept quiet, but Lightfoot was notsufficiently trained to be trusted. 

The boys determined to make an effort to capture him; he would make asplendid addition to their museum. Besides, they had never killed adeer, and now the opportunity was fairly before them. But the questionwas how to proceed. The buck was out of range of their shot-guns, andthey knew it would be worse than useless to fire at him; so theyconcluded to lie still in the boat, and await the movements of thegame. 

The buck was standing in the water, up to his knees, deliberatelycropping the leaves of the lilies, and now and then gazing toward theopposite shore, as if he were meditating upon something. At length heappeared to have decided upon his course, for he waded deeper into thewater, and swam boldly out into the lake. 

This was exactly what the boys had wished for; and, when the buck hadmade about ten rods from the shore, Archie took his seat at the oars, and pulled the boat silently out from behind the point. The momentthey entered the lake, Lightfoot discovered the game, and uttered aloud bark. The buck heard it, and his first impulse was to turn andregain the shore he had just left. But Archie gave way on the oarsmanfully, and succeeded in intercepting him; and the buck, findinghimself fairly cut off, uttered a loud snort, and, seeming tounderstand that his only chance for escape was straight ahead, hesettled himself down in the water, and struck out again for theopposite shore. 

The dogs now all broke out into a continuous barking, and Archieexclaimed, in an excited voice, "Shoot him! shoot him!"

"He is too far off, " answered Frank. "You must remember that our gunsare loaded with small shot. Give way lively!"

The boys very soon discovered that they had no easy task before them. The light skiff, propelled by Archie's powerful strokes, dancedrapidly over the little waves; but the buck was a fast swimmer andmade headway through the water astonishingly. 

"Don't we gain on him any?" inquired Archie, panting hard from hisexertions. 

"Yes, a very little, " answered Frank. "But he swims like a streak. "

At length they reached the middle of the lake, and Frank, to hisdelight, discovered that they were gaining rapidly. Archie redoubledhis efforts, and a few more strokes brought them close alongside ofthe buck, which snorted aloud in his terror, and leaped half-way outof the water, then settled down nobly to his work. 

Had Frank been an experienced deer-hunter, he would have been verycareful not to approach the game in that manner; for a deer, when hefinds himself unable to escape, will fight most desperately, and hissharp antlers and hoofs, which will cut like a knife, are weapons notto be despised. But Frank, in his excitement, did not step to think ofthis, and, letting go the tiller, he seized his gun, and fired bothbarrels in quick succession. But the shot was not fatal; and the buck, maddened with pain, leaped almost entirely out of the water. 

Frank now saw their danger, and, seizing the oars, attempted to turnthe boat out of the reach of the wounded animal; but it was too late, for the buck, in his struggles, placed his fore-feet in the bow of theskiff, and overturned it in an instant, and boys, dogs, ducks, andall, were emptied into the cold waters of the lake. When they rose tothe surface, they found the skiff right side up, and dancing over thewaves they had made, and the ducks and oars were floating in the wateraround them. 

Their first thought was to discover what had become of the buck; heand Brave were engaged in a most desperate fight, in which the dog wasevidently getting the better of it. The hounds, probably not relishingtheir ducking, were making for the nearest shore, as if their livesdepended upon the issue. 

Frank swam up to the skiff, and took hold of it, to keep himselfafloat; but Archie picked up an oar, and struck out toward the buck, exclaiming, "I guess I'd better take a hand in this fight. "

"No, no, " said Frank, quickly, "you had better keep away from him; hehas too much strength left. He would beat you down under the water inless than a minute. Brave can manage him alone. "

The next moment Frank happened to think of his gun. Where was it? Hedrew himself up and looked into the canoe. It was not there; it was atthe bottom of the lake. 

"Archie, " he exclaimed, "we've lost our guns. "

"Just my luck, " answered his cousin, bitterly. "Now, I'll have revengefor that. "

And, swimming around behind the buck, out of reach of his dangeroushoofs, he raised himself in the water, and struck him a powerful blow, that shivered the blade of the oar into fragments. It was a fatalblow; and the buck ceased his struggles, and lay motionless on thewater. It was a lucky circumstance for Brave that Archie had takenpart in the fight, for the poor dog had experienced some pretty roughhandling. He had received several wounds from the sharp hoofs of thebuck, and there was a severe cut in his neck, from which the blood wasflowing profusely; but the way he continued to shake the buck afterArchie had dealt the fatal blow showed that there was plenty of fightleft in him. Frank carefully lifted him into the boat, and, by theirunited efforts, after a good deal of hard work, the buck was thrownin after him. The boys then climbed in themselves, and Frank said, "Well, we have captured our first deer, haven't we?"

"I wish we had never seen him, " answered Archie. "We've lost our gunsby the operation. "

"I am afraid so; but we will, at least, make an attempt to recoverthem. "

"How will we go to work?"

"We will dive for them. "

Archie shrugged his shoulders, but made no reply. 

Frank's first care was to bandage Brave's neck with his handkerchief. He then divested himself of his clothes, and, after wringing the waterout of them, he spread them out in the bow of the boat to dry. 

"I don't much like the idea of going down in there, " said Archie, looking dubiously at the dark, muddy water; "there may be snakes init, or it may be full of logs, or the bottom may be covered with weedsthat will catch hold of a fellow's leg and keep him down. "

"I can't help it, " said Frank; "we must have the guns; I'd rather riskany thing than lose them. The only thing I am afraid of is that thewater is too deep. I'll be a little careful at first"

So saying, he lowered himself over the side of the boat, and, drawingin a long breath, sank slowly out of sight. 

Meanwhile Archie was pulling off his clothes, and, when his cousinappeared, he exclaimed, "How do things look down there? Rather muddy, isn't it?"

"Yes, " answered Frank, as he wiped the water from his face, "but thebottom is all clear, and the water is only about fifteen feet deep. "

"Did you see any thing of the guns?"

"No, I couldn't stay down long enough to make observations. I'm goingto dive this time, " he continued, as he commenced climbing back intothe boat. 

"Well, here goes!" said Archie. 

And, clasping his hands above his head, he dived out of sight, andFrank followed close after. 

When the latter again appeared at the surface, he found Archie holdingon to the boat, with one of the guns elevated above his head, to allowthe water to run out of the barrels. 

The boys climbed up into the boat, and dived again, but neither ofthem met with any success. The next time Archie was again thefortunate one, for, when Frank rose to the surface, he was climbing upinto the boat, with the other gun in his hand. 

"I don't call this a very unlucky hunt, after all, " said Frank. 

"Neither do I, " said Archie. "I say, Frank, " he continued, "I wish wecould reproduce in our museum the scene we have just passed through. "

"So do I. If we could represent the buck in the act of upsetting us, it would be our 'masterpiece, ' wouldn't it? But I am afraid that isfurther than our ingenuity extends. "

The boys drew on their clothes, which were but partially dry, and, after pulling ashore to get the hounds, which had kept up a loudbarking all the time, they turned the boat's head toward home. 

After changing their clothes and eating a hearty dinner--during whichthey related their adventure to Mrs. Nelson and Julia--they carefullyremoved the buck's skin, and hung it up in the shop by a fire to dry. 

Their guns were found to be none the worse for their ducking; theloads, of course, were wet, and had to be drawn, but a good coat ofoil, and a thorough rubbing inside and out, made them look as good asnew. 

During the afternoon, as the boys sat on the piazza in front of thehouse, talking over the events of the morning, their attention wasattracted by a combat that was going on between one of Frank's petkingbirds and a red-headed woodpecker. The latter was flying zigzagthrough the air, and the kingbird was pecking him most unmercifully. At length the woodpecker took refuge in a tree that stood on the bankof the creek, and then seemed perfectly at his ease. He always kept onthe opposite side of the tree, and the kingbird, active as he was, could not reach him. His loud, angry twittering soon brought his mateto his assistance, and then the woodpecker found himself between twofires. After trying in vain to elude them, he suddenly popped into ahole in the tree, and stuck out his long bill, as if defying them toenter. The kingbirds were completely outwitted; and, after making twoor three angry darts at the hole in which their cunning enemy hadtaken refuge, they settled down on the branches close by to wait untilhe should show himself. They had no intention of giving up thecontest. The woodpecker seemed to take matters very coolly, andimproved his time by pounding away industriously on the inside of thetree. Occasionally he would thrust his head out of the hole, but, seeing his enemies still on the watch, he would dodge back, and go towork again. 

After waiting fully a quarter of an hour for him to come out, andseeing that the kingbirds had no idea of "raising the siege, " Archieconcluded (to age his own expression) that he "might as well lend alittle assistance. " So he ran round to the shop, and, having procuredan ax, he went up to the tree, and dealt it a heavy blow. The nextmoment the woodpecker flew out, and the kingbirds were after him in aninstant They followed him until he reached the woods, and thenreturned to the cottage. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

A 'Coon-Hunt. 

We might relate many more interesting events that transpired beforethe hunting season set in; we might tell of the "tall times" the boyshad whipping the trout-streams, of the trials of speed that came offon the river, when it turned out, as Archie had predicted, thatCharles Morgan's sloop "couldn't sail worth a row of pins;" and wemight tell of many more desperate "scrapes" that came off between thebully and his sworn enemies the Hillers; but we fear, reader, you arealready weary of the Young Naturalist's home-life, and long to see himengaging in his favorite recreations--roaming through the woods, withhis gun on his shoulder, or dealing death among the ducks on theriver. 

Well, autumn came at length; and, early one chilly, moonlight evening, Frank and his cousin, accompanied by George and Harry, might havebeen seen picking their way across the meadow at the back of Mrs. Nelson's lot, and directing their course toward a large cornfield, that lay almost in the edge of a piece of thick woods, about a quarterof a mile distant. 

They had started on a 'coon-hunt. Frank and Harry, who were two of thebest shots in the village, were armed with their double-barreledshot-guns, and the others carried axes and lanterns. 

We have said that it was a moonlight night, but, so far as a view ofthe chase was concerned, the light of the moon would benefit them butlittle; and the boys carried the lanterns, not to be able to followthe 'coon when started, but to discover him when "treed, " and toassist them in picking their way through the woods. 

During a raccoon-hunt, but little is seen either of the dogs or thegame. The woods, let the moon shine ever so bright, are pitch-dark;and the dogs rely on their scent and the hunter trusts to his ears. 

The 'coon seldom strays far from his tree, and, of course, whenstarted, draws a "bee-line" for home, and the game is for thedogs--which should be very swift, hardy animals, having the courage totackle him if he should turn at bay--to overtake him, and compel himto take to some small tree, where he can be easily shaken off or shot. But if he succeeds in reaching home, which he always makes in a largetree, he is safe, unless the hunter is willing to go to work and fellthe tree. 

The boys were accompanied by their dogs, which followed close at theirheels. Lightfoot was about to take his first lesson in hunting, butBrave and Sport evidently knew perfectly well what the game was to be, and it was difficult to restrain them. 

A few moments' walk brought them to the corn field. A rail-fence ranbetween the field and the woods; and two of the boys, after lightingtheir lanterns, climbed over the fence, and the others waved theirhands to the dogs, and ordered them to "hunt 'em up. " Brave and Sportwere off in an instant, and Lightfoot was close at their heels, mechanically following their motions, and evidently wondering at theirstrange movements. 

The boys moved quietly along the fence, and, in a few moments, aquick, sharp yelp from Brave announced that he had started the first'coon. The boys cheered on the dogs, and presently a dark objectappeared, coming at full speed through the corn, and passed, at asingle bound, over the fence. The dogs, barking fierce and loud atevery jump, were close at his heels, and both they and the gamespeedily disappeared in the darkness. The boys followed after, pickingtheir way through the bushes with all possible speed. 

The chase was a short one, for the dogs soon broke out in a regular, continuous barking, which announced that the 'coon was treed. Thehunters, guided by the noise, soon came in sight of them, standing atthe foot of a small sapling. Brave and Sport took matters very easily, and seemed satisfied to await the arrival of the boys, but Lightfoothad caught sight of the 'coon as he was ascending the tree, and wasbounding into the air, and making every exertion to reach him. 

Frank and Harry stood ready with their guns to shoot him, and theothers held their lanterns aloft, and peered up into the top of thetree, to discover his hiding-place; but nothing could be seen of him. The sapling had grown up rather high, and all objects outside of thecircle of light made by their lanterns seemed to be concealed byEgyptian darkness. 

"He's up there, I know, " said Archie. 

And, laying down his ax and lantern, he caught hold of the sapling, and shook it with all his strength. But it was a little too large forhim to manage, and, although it swayed considerably, the 'coon couldeasily retain his hold. 

"Well, " said Archie, "if he will not come down to us, we'll have to goup to him, I suppose. "

And he commenced ascending the tree. Archie was a good hand atclimbing, and had shaken more than one 'coon from his roost, and hecarefully felt his way up, until he had almost reached the top of thesapling, when, not wishing to trust his weight on the small limbs, hestopped, and again shook the tree, and this time with better success. There was an angry snarling among the branches above his head, and the'coon, after trying in vain to retain his hold, came tumbling to theground. 

Quick as thought the dogs were upon him, and, although he made a mostdesperate resistance, he was speedily overpowered and killed. 

The boys picked up their prize, and went back to the cornfield. Thedogs were again sent in, and another 'coon was started, which, likethe first, "drew a bee-line" for the woods, with the dogs closebehind, and the boys, worked up to the highest pitch of excitement, followed after as fast as their legs could carry them. 

The 'coon had managed to get a good start of his pursuers, and he ledthem a long chase through a low, swampy part of the woods, to the topof a ridge, where the heavy timber grew; and when, at length, the boyscame up with the dogs, they found them standing at the foot of a largemaple fully ten feet in circumference. 

"There!" exclaimed George, "the rascal has succeeded in reaching home. Good-by, 'coon!"

"Yes, " said Frank, leaning on the muzzle of his gun, and wiping theperspiration from his forehead, "we're minus that 'coon, easilyenough, unless we wait until morning, and cut the tree down. "

"Look here, boys, " suddenly exclaimed George, who had been holding hislantern above his head, and examining the sides of the tree; "did youever see a tree look like this before?"

As they moved around to the side where George stood, Archie calledout, "There must be a big nest of 'coons in here; the tree is completelyskinned. "

"Yes, " said Frank, "we've accidentally stumbled upon a regular'coon-tree. There must be a big family of them living here. The treelooks as if some one had taken an ax and cleaned off the bark. But, "he added, "finding where the 'coons have been and catching them aretwo very different things. "

"What do you mean?" inquired Archie, "You don't pretend to say thatthe 'coons are not in the tree?"

"Certainly I do. I wouldn't be afraid to stake Brave against anylittle cur in the village that the 'coon the dogs have just followedhere is the only one in the tree. "

"What makes you think so?"

"Why, now is their feeding-time, and all the 'coons in this part ofthe woods are in the cornfield. It wouldn't pay to cut down this bigtree for one 'coon; so let's go home and go to bed, and earlyto-morrow morning we will come back here and bag our game. "

The boys agreed to this, and they whistled to their dogs, and startedthrough the woods toward home. 

The next morning, at the first peep of day, they again set out, and inhalf an hour arrived at the 'coon-tree. 

The boys knew that they had something to accomplish before they couldsecure their game, but they were not the ones to shun hard work. Theyhad frequently cut down trees for a single 'coon, and they feltconfident that there were at least three of the animals in the tree, and they were willing to work for them. 

Archie and George were armed, as on the preceding night, with axes, and, after pulling off their coats, they placed themselves on oppositesides of the tree, and set manfully to work. Harry and Frank stood by, ready to take their places when they grew tired, and the dogs seatedthemselves on the ground close by, with their tongues hanging out ofthe sides of their mouths, and now and then giving vent to animpatient whine. 

The boys worked for an hour and a half--taking their turns atchopping--almost without speaking. At length the top of the tree beganto waver, and a loud crack announced that it was about to fall. Frankand Archie were chopping, and the blows of their axes resounded withredoubled force, and the other boys caught up the guns, and ran off inthe direction in which the tree was about to fall, followed by Sportand Lightfoot, and Brave stationed himself close behind his master, and barked and whined furiously. 

A few sturdy blows finished the business, and the tree began tosink--slowly at first, then with a rushing sound, and struck the earthwith a tremendous crash. In an instant boys and dogs were among thebranches. The 'coons--some of which were not injured in the least bythe fall--scattered in every direction; and one of them--a fine, largefellow--bounded off through the bushes. 

Frank discovered him just in time, and, fearing that he would losesight of him, he hurled his ax at him with all his strength; but itwent wide of the mark, and Frank started in hot pursuit. He was veryswift of foot, and there seemed to be no limit to his endurance, but, in running through the bushes, the 'coon had decidedly the advantage. Frank was not slow to discover this, and he began to think aboutsending his ax after him again, when he heard a crashing in the bushesbehind him, and the grayhound passed him like the wind, and two orthree of his tremendous bounds brought him up with the 'coon. 

Frank knew very well that Lightfoot had something of a job before him, for it requires a very tough, active dog to "handle" a full-grown coonwhen he is cornered. But Frank thought it was a capital time to judgeof the grayhound's "grit;" so he cheered him on, and hurried forwardto witness the fight. 

As Lightfoot came up, he made a grab at the 'coon, which, quick as aflash, eluded him, and, when the hound turned upon him, the 'coon gavehim one severe bite, when Lightfoot uttered a dismal howl, and, holding his nose close to the ground, beat a hasty retreat; and theYoung Naturalist could not induce him to return. 

During the fight, short as it was, Frank had gained considerably, and, as the 'coon turned to make off, he again threw his ax at him, which, true to its aim, struck the 'coon on the head, and stretched himlifeless on the ground. 

Meanwhile Archie was endeavoring to secure his 'coon, under rathermore difficult circumstances. 

As soon as the tree had begun to fall, Archie dropped his ax, seized ashort club that lay near him on the ground, and, discovering a 'coonmaking for the bushes, he started after him at full speed. 

The animal appeared to run heavily, as if he had been partiallystunned by the falling of the tree; and Archie had followed him but ashort distance, when he had the satisfaction of discovering that hewas gaining at every step. The 'coon seemed to understand that hischance of escape was rather small; and, after various windings andtwistings, commenced ascending a small tree. Archie ran forward withall possible speed, with the hope of reaching the tree before he couldclimb out of the way. The 'coon moved but slowly, and Archie felt sureof his prize; and, as soon as he came within the proper distance, hestruck a powerful blow at the animal, but he was just out of reach, and the club was shivered to pieces against the tree. 

Archie, however, did not hesitate a moment, but, placing his hands onthe tree, commenced climbing after him. The 'coon ascended to thetopmost branch, and looked down on his enemy, growling and snappinghis teeth, as if to warn him that he intended to make a desperateresistance; but Archie was not in the least intimidated, and, reachingthe branch on which the 'coon was seated, he shook it violently, andthe animal tumbled to the ground, and, as soon as he could regain hisfeet, started off again. 

Archie descended as quickly as possible, and started in pursuit, hoping to overtake his game before he could again take to a tree. There was an abundance of large trees growing in the woods, and, ifthe 'coon should take it into his head to ascend one of them, Archiemight whistle for his game. 

The young hunter well understood this, and he "put in his best licks, "as he afterward remarked, and, in a few moments, had almost overtakenhim, and began to look around for something to strike him with, whenthe 'coon, as if guessing his intention, suddenly turned and ran up alarge tree that stood close by, and, crawling out on a limb, aboutfifty feet from the ground, he settled himself down, as if he hadconcluded to take matters more easily. 

This was discouraging; and Archie seated himself on a log under thetree, and for a moment thought seriously of giving up the chase. Butthe 'coon was a fine, fat fellow, and his skin would make a valuableaddition to the museum, and, besides, he had followed him so faralready, that he was reluctant to go back to his companions withouthim, and, on second thought, he concluded that he would _not_ go backunless he could carry the 'coon with him. 

He first thought of ascending the tree, but, after taking a hastysurvey of it, he abandoned the idea. The tree was partially decayed;in fact, there was but one sound limb in it that Archie coulddiscover, and that was about four feet above the one on which the'coon was seated, and stretched out directly over it. 

Archie did not like the idea of trusting himself among the unsoundlimbs, and, besides, the cunning animal had crawled out to the extremeend of one of the decayed branches, which bent beneath his weight, and the young hunter, of course, could not follow him. 

There was only one way that Archie could discover to bring him down;and he straightway opened upon the devoted 'coon a tremendous showerof clubs and sticks. He was a very accurate thrower, and, for sometime, had hopes of being able to bring down the 'coon; but, althoughthe missiles frequently hit him, Archie could not throw them withsufficient force; and he again turned his attention to the tree. Throwing his arms around it, he commenced working his way up. The barkwas very smooth and slippery, and the lowest limb was the one on whichthe 'coon had taken refuge; but he kept steadily at work, and hisprogress, though slow, was sure, and he reached the limb; and, bearingas little of his weight as possible upon it, he drew himself up to thesound limb above. 

After testing it thoroughly, to make sure that it would sustain hisweight, he commenced walking out on the branch on which the 'coon wasseated, keeping a firm hold of the limb above his head. He had madescarcely a dozen steps, when there was a loud crack, and the branch onwhich he was standing broke into fragments, and fell to the groundwith a crash, carrying the 'coon with it, and leaving Archie hangingin the air, fifty feet from the ground. 

Not in the least terrified at his dangerous situation, the younghunter coolly swung himself up on the limb, and, crawling carefullyback to the tree, slid rapidly down the trunk, and, as if nothing hadhappened, ran to the place where the 'coon had fallen, hoping that atlast he was secured. 

But he was again disappointed. Nothing was to be seen of the animal, and only a few drops of blood on the leaves indicated the direction inwhich he had gone. This quickly caught Archie's eye, and he began tofollow up the trail, which led toward a creek that flowed close by. But when he arrived upon its bank he was again at fault--the trail waslost; and, while he was running up and down the bank, searching forit, he happened to cast his eye toward the opposite side of the creek, and there was his 'coon, slowly ascending a tall stump that stood atthe water's edge. 

Archie could not refrain from giving a shout of joy, for he wasconfident that the chase would soon be over; and he hurried, impatiently, up and down the bank to find some place to cross, andfinally discovered a small tree lying in the water, whose top reachedalmost to the opposite bank. The 'coon had undoubtedly crossed on thisbridge; and Archie sprang upon it. It shook considerably, but he kepton, and had almost reached the opposite side, when the tree broke, andhe disappeared in the cold water. He rose immediately, and, shakingthe water from his face, struck out for the shore, puffing and blowinglike a porpoise. A few lusty strokes brought him to the bank, and, ashe picked up a handful of stones, he said to himself, "I guess I'm all right now. If I could only have found some stoneswhen I treed that 'coon in the woods, he would not have been up therenow, and I should not have got this wet hide. But we'll soon settleaccounts now. "

As we have said, the 'coon had taken refuge in a high stump. Thebranches had all fallen off, with the exception of one short one, about two feet from the top; and the 'coon, after trying in vain tosqueeze 'himself into a small hole, about half-way up the stump, settled down on this limb, and appeared to be awaiting his fate. 

Archie took a favorable position, and, selecting a stone, hurled itwith all his force at the 'coon. It whizzed harmlessly by, close tohis head; but the next brought him to the ground, dead. 

"There!" exclaimed the young hunter, as he shouldered his prize, andwalked up the creek to find a crossing-place, "I've worked pretty hardfor 'coons, first and last, but this beats all the hunts I everengaged in. "

He at length reached a place where the water was about knee-deep, waded across the creek, and started through the woods to find hiscompanions. When he arrived at the place where they had felled thetree, he saw Harry sitting on a log, with Frank's gun in his hand, butnothing was to be seen of the other boys. 

As soon as the latter discovered Archie, he burst into a loud laugh. 

"No doubt you think it a good joke, " said Archie, as he came up, "butI don't. It isn't a funny thing to tramp through the woods, on a coldday like this, with your clothes wringing wet. But I've got the'coon. "

"You must have had a tough time catching him, " said Harry. "But let usgo down to the camp. "

As they walked along, Archie related his adventures; and, when he toldabout being "dumped in the creek, " Harry laughed louder than ever. 

A few moments' walk brought them to what Harry had called the "camp. "It was in a little grove of evergreens, on the banks of a clear, dancing trout-brook. A place about forty feet square had been clearedof the trees and bushes and in it stood a small, neatly-built, log-cabin, which Frank and some of his companions had erected thewinter previous. 

Near the middle of the cabin a hole about four feet square, had beendug, and in this a fire was burning brightly; and a hole in the roof, directly over it, did duty both as chimney and window. 

On the floor, near the fire--or, rather, there _was_ no floor, theground serving for that purpose--stood some tin dishes, which one ofthe boys had just brought to light from a corner of the cabin, fourplates, as many knives and forks, two large platters, a coffee-pot, four quart-cups, and a pan containing some trout, which George hadcaught in the brook, all cleaned and ready for the spit, and there wasalso a large plate of bread and butter. 

Frank, who always acted as cook on these expeditions, and knew how toget up a dinner that would tempt an epicure, was kneeling before thefire, engaged in skinning some squirrels which Brave had treed forhim. 

George was in front of the cabin, chopping wood; and close by the doorlay five 'coons--the fruits of the morning's hunt; and near them laythe dogs, fast asleep. 

Such was the scene presented when Harry and Archie burst in upon thecamp. The latter was greeted with a loud laugh. 

"Well, boys, " said he, as he threw his 'coon down with the others, "you may laugh, but I wish some of you were obliged to go through whatI did. I was bound to have the 'coon, if I had to follow him clear toMoosehead Lake. "

"That's the way to talk, " said Frank. "Now, throw yourself down by thefire, and I'll soon be ready to give you something to eat. A cup ortwo of hot coffee will set you all right again. "

Archie's ducking and his long walk in his wet clothes had chilled himcompletely through, and he was very willing to comply with hiscousin's suggestion, and he drew up as close as possible to the fire. 

When Frank had finished skinning the squirrels, he stuck them upbefore the fire, on spits, to roast. The trout he served in the samemanner; and, raking out a few live coals from the fire, he placed thecoffee-pot upon them, when the work of getting breakfast began inearnest. 

In the course of half an hour the impatience of the hungry hunters(whose appetites had been sharpened by the savory smell of the cookingviands) was relieved by Frank's welcome invitation--

"Now, boys, you may help yourselves. "

And they _did_ help themselves most bountifully. 

Archie kept his place by the fire, and a plate filled with bread andbutter, and roasted squirrel and trout, and a cup of coffee, werepassed over to him; and, supporting himself on one elbow, he did themample justice. 

The dogs were well supplied with what remained of the breakfast; and, after washing the dishes in the clear water of the brook, and placingthem carefully away for future use, the boys seated themselves aroundthe fire, and Harry exclaimed, as he settled himself back into acomfortable position, "Give us a story, Frank. "

"Well, " answered Frank, after thinking a few moments, "I remember onethat, I think, will interest you. You will probably remember, Archie, that, during the last visit we made at Uncle Joe's, we met his brotherDick, who has passed forty years of his life among the RockyMountains. You will remember, also, that he and I went mink-trapping, and camped out all night, and during the evening he related to me someof his adventures, and wound up with the following story of his'chum, ' Bill Lawson. I will try to give it, as nearly as possible, inhis own words. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Bill Lawson's Revenge. 

"This Bill Larson, " said Dick, knocking the ashes from his pipe, "was_some_ in his day. I have told you about his trappin' qualities--thatthere was only one man in the county that could lay over him any, an'that was ole Bob Kelly. But Bill had some strange ways about him, sometimes, that I could not understand, an' the way he acted a'mostmade me think he was crazy. Sometimes you couldn't find a more jollyfeller than he was; an' then, again, he would settle down into one ofhis gloomy spells, an' I couldn't get a word out of him. He would sitby the camp-fire, an' first fall to musing; then he would cover hisface with his hands, an' I could see the big, scalding tears tricklethrough his fingers, an' his big frame would quiver and shake like atree in a gale of wind; then he would pull out his long, heavyhuntin'-knife, an' I could see that he had several notches cut in thehandle. He would count these over an' over again; an' I could see adark scowl settle on his face, that would have made me tremble if Ihad not known that I was his only sworn friend, an' he would mutter, "'Only seven! only seven! There ought to be eight. There is one left. He must not escape me. No, no; he must die!'

"An' then he would sheath his knife, an' roll himself up in hisblanket, an' cry himself to sleep like a child. 

"I had been with ole Bill a'most ten years--ever since I was aboy--but he had never told me the cause of his trouble. I didn't dareto ask him, for the ole man had curious ways sometimes, an' I knowedhe wouldn't think it kind of me to go pryin' into his affairs, an' Iknowed, too, that some day he would tell me all about it. 

"One night--we had been followin' up a bar all day--we camped on theside of a high mountain. It was very cold. The wind howled through thebranches of the trees above our heads, makin' us pull our blanketscloser about us an' draw as nigh to the fire as possible. 

"Ole Bill sat, as usual, leanin' his head on his hands, an' lookin'steadily into the fire. Neither of us had spoken for more than anhour. At len'th the ole man raised his head, an' broke the silence bysayin', "'Dick, you have allers been a good friend to me, an' have stuck byme like a brother, through thick an' thin, an', I s'pose, you think itis mighty unkind in me to keep any thing from you; an' so it is. An'now I'll tell you all. '

"He paused a moment, an', wipin' the perspiration from his foreheadwith his coat-sleeve, continued, a'most in a whisper, "'Dick, I was not allers as you see me now--all alone in the world. Once I was the happiest boy west of the mountains. My father was atrader, livin' on the Colorado River, I had a kind mother, two ashandsome sisters as the sun ever shone on, an' my brother was one ofthe best trappers, for a boy, I ever see. He was a good deal youngernor I was, but he was the sharer of all my boyish joys an' sorrows. Wehad hunted together, an' slept under the same blanket ever since wewere big enough to walk. Oh! I was happy then! This earth seemed to mea paradise. Now look at me--alone in the world, not one livin' bein'to claim me as a relation; an' all this was brought upon me in asingle day. '

"Here the ole man stopped, an' buried his face in his hands; but, suddenly arousin' himself, he continued, "'One day, when the ice were a'most out of the river, father an' meconcluded it was about time to start on our usual tradin' expedition;so we went to work an' got all our goods--which consisted of beads, hatchets, lookin'-glasses, blankets, an' such like--into the bigcanoe, an' were goin' to start 'arly in the mornin' to pay a visit tothe Osage Injuns, an' trade our things for their furs. That night, while we were eatin' our supper, a party of horsemen came gallopin'an' yellin' down the bank of the river, an', ridin' up to the door ofthe cabin, dismounted, an', leavin' their horses to take care ofthemselves, came in without ceremony. We knowed very well who theywere. They were a band of outlaws an' robbers, that had been in thecounty ever since I could remember, an', bein' too lazy to make anhonest livin' by trappin', they went around plunderin' an' stealin'from every one they come across. They had stole three or four horsesfrom us, an' had often come to our cabin an' called for whisky; butthat was an article father never kept on hand. Although he was an oletrapper, an' had lived in the woods all his life, he never used it, an' didn't believe in sellin' it to the red-skins. The captain of theoutlaws was a feller they called "Mountain Tom, " an' he was meanerthan the meanest Injun I ever see. He didn't think no more of cuttin'a man's throat than you would of shootin' a buck. The minute they cameinto the cabin we could see that they had all been drinkin'. Theyacted like a lot of wild buffalo-bulls, an', young as I was, I couldsee that they meant mischief, an' I knowed that our chance for lifewas small indeed. As I arterwards learned, they had been up the river, about two miles, to a half-breed's shanty, an' had found half a barrelof whisky, an', arter killin' the half-breed, an' drinkin' his liquor, they felt jest right for a muss, an' had come down to our cabin onpurpose for a fight. 

"'"Now, ole Lawson, " said Mountain Tom, leanin' his rifle up in thecorner, "we have come down here for whisky. We know you've got some;so jest draw your weasel, if you want to save unpleasant feelin's; an'be in a hurry about it, too, for we're mighty thirsty. "

"'"Tom, " said my father, "how often have I told you that I haven't gota drop of liquor in the shanty? I never had. I don't use it myself, an' I don't keep it for--"

"'"That's a lie!" yelled three or four of the band. 

"'"You a trader among the Injuns, an' not keep whisky?"

"'"We know a thing or two more than that. "

"'"We have heard that story often enough, " said Tom. "We know you havegot the liquor, an' we are goin' to get it afore we leave this shanty. If you won't bring it out an' treat, like white man had ought to do, we'll have to look for it ourselves--that's all. Here, boys, " he said, turning to his men, "jest jump down into the cellar an' hunt it up, 'cause we know he's got some. An' you, Jake, " he added, catching holdof a big, ugly-lookin' feller, "you stand here, an shoot the first onethat tries to get away. "

"'The men ran down into the cellar, and we could hear them cussin' an'swearin', as they overturned every thing in the useless search. Mymother, a'most frightened to death, gathered us children around her, an' sank back into the furthest corner. I thought my father had gonecrazy; he strode up an' down the floor of the cabin like some cagedwild animal, clenchin' his hands an' grindin' his teeth in a way thatshowed that there was plenty of fight in him, if he only had a chanceto let it out. Once in awhile he would look at his rifle, that hungagainst the wall, then at the man that stood at the top of thecellar-stairs, guardin' us, as if he had a'most made up his mind tobegin a knock-down an' drag-out fight with the rascals. But then hewould look at my mother an' us children, back in the corner, an' go topacin' the floor again. If we had been out of the way, I know that hewould not have let them rummage about as he did; he would have had afight with them that would do your eyes good to look at. But, as itwas, I guess he kinder thought that if he was peaceable they would gooff an' leave us, arter they found that no whisky was to be had. Aftersearchin' around the cellar for more 'n ten minutes, one of 'em calledout, "'"Wal, boys, it's easy enough to see that the cuss has fooledus. Thar's no liquor here. He's hid it in the woods, somewhere 'boutthe shantee. "

"'"That's so, " said another. "I'll bet he has got plenty of whiskysomewhere. Let's go up and hang him till he tells us where it is. "

"'"No, no, that won't do, " said Mountain Tom. "You fellers are gettin'so that you talk like babies. Shoot the rascal down. We've had troubleenough with him. If we can't get the liquor here, there are plenty ofplaces where we can get it. "

"'"That's the talk!" yelled the band. "Shoot him down! Tear him topieces!"

"'The man who was standin' at the head of the stairs heard all therascals had said, an', with a yell of delight, he raised his rifle an'drew a bead on my mother. But the ole man was too quick for him. Witha bound like a painter, he sprang across the floor, an', grabbin' thevillain by the throat, lifted him from his feet, and throwed him downinto the cellar, an' in an instant shut the door, an' fastened it witha heavy bar of wood. Then, takin' down his rifle, he said to us, a'most in a whisper, "'"Now run! run for your lives! We must cross the prairy an' get intothe woods afore the rascals cut their way out. Run! quick!"

"'My mother took my sisters by the hand an' led them out, an' me an'my brother followed her. Father closed both the windows an' the door, an' fastened them on the outside. All this while the robbers had beenyellin' an' swearin', an' cuttin' away at the cellar-door with theirtomahawks; an' we well knowed that they would soon be out an' arterus. Our cabin stood in a large, natural prairy, an' we had to travelfull half a mile acrost the open ground afore we come to the woods. Myfather followed close behind us, with his rifle, ready to shoot thefirst one that come in sight, an' kept urgin' us to go faster. Wehadn't gone more'n half the distance acrost the prairy, when a loudcrash and yells of triumph told us, plain enough, that the villainshad worked their way out of the cellar. Then heavy blows sounded onthe window-shutter, which, strong as it was, we knowed could not longhold out ag'in 'em. In a few minutes it was forced from its hinges, an' Mountain Tom sprang out. 

"'"Here they are, boys, " he shouted. "Come on! We'll l'arn 'em not tohide--"

"'The report of father's rifle cut short his words, an' Mountain Tom, throwin' his hands high above his head, sank to the ground like a log. By this time the rest of the band had come out, an the bullets rattledaround us like hailstones. My father and brother both fell-the latternever to rise; but father, although he had received three bullets, staggered to his feet, an' follered along arter us, loadin' his rifle. Then began the race for life. It seemed to me that we flew over theground, but the villains gained on us at every step. Just as wereached the woods, my father called out, "'"Down--down, every one of you! They're going to shoot again!"

"'Obeyin' that order was what saved my life. I throwed myself flatinto the bushes, an' escaped unhurt; but both my sisters were shotdead, an' my father received another ball that brought him to theground. My mother, instead of thinkin' of herself, kneeled beside him, an' supported his head in her arms. The next minute the outlawsentered the woods, an' one passed so close to me that I could havetouched him. 

"'"Wal, Bill Lawson, " said a voice that I knowed belonged to MountainTom, "you see I'm here again. I s'pose you kind o' thought you hadrubbed me out, didn't you?"

"'"Yes, I did, " said father--an' his voice was so weak that I couldhardly hear him. 

"'"You won't have a chance to draw a bead on me again, I guess. We shootconsider'ble sharp--don't we?"

"'"I shan't live long, " said father. "But, whatever you do to me, bemerciful to my wife an'--"

"'The dull thud of the tomahawk cut short my father's dying prayer, an'his brains were spattered on the bush where I was concealed; an', a'most at the same moment, another of the band buried his knife in mymother's heart. '

"Old Bill could go no further. He buried his face in his hands an'cried like a child. At length, by a strong effort, he choked down hissobs, and went on. 

"'I knew no more until I found myself lyin' in the cabin of an olehunter, who lived about ten miles from where we used to live. He hadbeen out huntin', an' had found me lyin' close beside my father an'mother. He thought I was dead, too, at first, but he found no woundson me; so, arter buryin' all my relatives in one grave, he took mehome with him. In three or four days I was able to get around again;an', beggin' a rifle an' some powder an' ball of the ole hunter, Istarted out. I went straight to the grave that contained all I lovedon earth, an' there, kneelin' above their heads, I swore that my lifeshould be devoted to but one object--vengeance on the villains who hadrobbed me of all my happiness. How well I have kept my oath thenotches on my knife will show. Seven of them have fallen by mytomahawk; one only is left, an' that is Mountain Tom. For fifteen longyears I have been on his trail; but the time will come when myvengeance will be complete. '

"An' the ole man rolled himself up in his blanket, an', turning hisback to me, sobbed himself to sleep. 

"But my story is not yet told, " continued Dick. "About a year arterthis, Bill an' me were ridin' along, about noon, in a little valleyamong the mountains, when we came, all of a sudden, on the camp of twotrappers. 

"'Heaven be praised! there he is!' said ole Bill. 

"An', swinging himself from his horse, he strode up to one of the men, who sprang from his blanket, and ejaculated, "'Bill Lawson!'

"'Yea, Mountain Tom, ' said ole Bill, 'I'm here. You an' me have got along reckonin' to settle now. '

"The villain at first turned as pale as a skewer; but he seemed toregain his courage, and exclaimed, "'It won't take us long to settle up, '

"And, quick as lightnin', he drew his knife, an' made a pass at Bill. 

"But he had got the wrong buck by the horn. The ole man was as quickas he; an', grabbin' hold of his arm, he took the knife away from himas if he had been a baby. 

"'Tom, ' said he, as he drew his tomahawk from his belt, 'I've followedyou all over this country for fifteen years, an', thank Heaven, I'vefound you at last. '

"'Oh, Bill, ' shrieked the condemned man, sinkin' on his knees beforethe ole man, 'I was--'

"'Stand up, ' said Bill, ketchin' hold of him, an' jerkin' him to hisfeet. 'You were brave enough when you were killing my wounded father. '

"'Oh, Bill--'

"'With the tomahawk you killed my father, an' by the tomahawk youshall die. '

"'For mercy's sake, Bill, ' again shrieked the terrified man, takinghold of a tree for support, 'hear me!'

"The tomahawk descended like a streak of light, and the last of themurderers sank at the ole man's feet. The eighth notch was added tothose on the knife, an' the debt was canceled. "

CHAPTER XV. 

Wild Geese. 

About two o'clock in the afternoon the boys concluded that it wasabout time to start for home; so, after putting out the fire andfastening the door of the cabin, they set out. Archie led the way, with a 'coon slung over each shoulder, and another dangling from hisbelt behind. The others followed close after him, in "Indian file. " Inthis manner they marched through the woods, joking and shouting, andtalking over the events of the day, and now and then indulging in ahearty laugh when they happened to think how Archie looked when hecame into the camp, dripping wet. But Archie took matters verygood-naturedly, and replied, "If I had come back without the 'coon, I should never have heard thelast of it; and now you laugh at me because I fell into the drinkwhile I was trying to catch him. "

In half an hour they reached the edge of the timber, and were about toclimb over the fence into the cornfield, when a long, loud bark echoedthrough the woods. 

"That's Brave, " exclaimed Frank; "and, " he continued, as all the dogsbroke out into a continuous cry, "they've found something. Let's goback. "

The boys all agreed to this, and they started back through the woodsas fast as their legs could carry them. 

A few moments' run brought them in sight of the dogs, sitting on theirhaunches at the foot of a stump, that rose to the hight of twentyfeet, without leaf or branch. Near the top were several holes; and, assoon as Frank discovered these, he exclaimed, "The dogs have got a squirrel in here. "

"How are we going to work to get him out?" inquired Archie. 

"Let's cut the stump down, " said George. 

"That's too much sugar for a cent, " answered Harry. "That will beworking too hard for one squirrel. "

"Why will it?" asked George. "The stump is rotten. "

And he laid down his 'coon, and walked up and dealt the stump severallusty blows with his ax. 

Suddenly two large black squirrels popped out of one of the holesnear the top, and ran rapidly around the stump. Quick as thought, Frank, who was always ready, raised his gun to his shoulder, and oneof the squirrels came tumbling to the ground; but, before he had timeto fire the second barrel, the other ran back into the hole. 

"Hit the tree again, George, " exclaimed Harry, throwing down his'coon, and bringing his gun to his shoulder. 

"It's no use, " said Frank; "they will not come out again, if you poundon the stump all day. "

George, however, did as his brother had requested, but not a squirrelappeared. 

"Let's cut the tree down, " said Archie. 

And, suiting the action to the word, he set manfully to work. 

A few blows brought off the outside "crust, " and the heart of the treewas found to be decayed, and, in a few moments, it came crashing tothe ground, and was shivered into fragments by the fall. 

The boys supposed that there was only one squirrel in the tree, andwere running up to secure him, when, to their surprise, theydiscovered a number of the little animals scattering in differentdirections, and drawing "bee-lines" for the nearest trees. 

Frank killed one with his remaining barrel, and Harry, by an excellentshot, brought down another that had climbed up into the top of a talloak, and was endeavoring to hide among the leaves. Brave and Sportboth started after the same one, and overtook and killed it before itcould reach a tree; but the grayhound came very near losing his. Assoon as the stump had fallen, he singled out one of the squirrels, and, with two or three of his long bounds, overtook it; but, just ashe was going to seize it, the squirrel dived into a pile of brush, outof the reach of the hound. A few loud, angry yelps brought Archie andGeorge to his assistance, and they immediately began to pull the pileof brush to pieces. Suddenly the squirrel darted out, and started fora tree that stood about two rods distant. The boys threw their clubsat him, but he reached the foot of the tree unharmed. At this momentLightfoot discovered him; two or three bounds carried him to the tree, and, crouching a moment, he sprang into the air, and attempted toseize the squirrel. But he was just a moment too late; the littleanimal had ascended out of his reach; but the next moment the sharpreport of Harry's gun brought him to the ground. 

The squirrels were now all secured, and the young hunters again turnedtheir faces homeward. 

One cold, stormy night, in the latter part of October, Frank and hiscousin lay snug in bed, listening to the howling of the wind and thepattering of the rain against the window, and talking over theirplans for the future, when, all at once, Frank sat upright in bed, and, seizing Archie's arm with a grip that almost wrung from him a cryof pain, exclaimed, "Listen! listen!"

And the next moment, clear and loud above the noise of the storm, theyheard the trumpet-like notes of a flock of wild geese. They passedover the house, and the sound grew fainter as they flew rapidly away. 

"My eye!" exclaimed Archie, "don't I wish it was daylight, and westood out in front of the house, with our guns all ready!"

"That's a nice thing to wish for, " answered Frank; "but, if it weredaylight, we should not stand any better chance of shooting them thanwe do here in bed. "

"What's the reason?"

"Why, in the first place, if they went over at all, they would fly sohigh that it would need a rifle to reach them; and, in the next place, we have not got a rifle. Just wait until morning, and we'll make ascattering among them, if some one don't get the start of us. "

"I suppose we are not the only ones that have heard them. "

"Not by a good deal. I shouldn't wonder if there were a dozen fellowsthat have made up their minds to have a crack at them in themorning. "

And Frank was right. Many a young hunter, as he lay in bed and heardthe wild geese passing over, had determined to have the first shot atthem, and many a gun was taken down, and cleaned and loaded, inreadiness for the morning's hunt. 

Wild geese seldom remained longer than two or three days about thevillage, and then they generally staid in the swamp. This made itdifficult for the young hunters to get a shot at them, and only themost active and persevering ever succeeded. 

Although for a month the young sportsmen had been expecting them, andhad carefully scanned the river every morning, and listened for thewelcome "honk-honk" that should announce the arrival of the wished-forgame, this was the first flock that had made its appearance. 

"I am afraid, " said Archie, "that some one will get the start of us. Let's get up. "

"No; lie still and go to sleep, " said Frank. 

"I am afraid we shall oversleep ourselves. I wonder what time it is. "

"I'll soon find out, " said Frank. 

And, bounding out on to the floor, he lighted a match, and held it upbefore the little clock that stood on the mantle-piece. 

"It's twelve o'clock, " he continued. 

And he crawled back into bed, and in a few moments was almost asleep, when Archie suddenly exclaimed, "They're coming back!"

And the geese again passed over the house, in full cry. 

They knew it was the same flock, because they came from toward theriver, and that was the same direction in which they had gone but afew moments before. 

In a short time they again returned; and, during the quarter of anhour that followed, they passed over three times more. 

"I wonder what is the matter with those geese, " said Archie, atlength. 

"Nothing, " replied Frank; "only they have got a little bewildered, anddon't know which way to go. "

"Where will we have to go to find them in the morning?"

"Up to the swamp, " answered Frank. "The last time they passed overthey flew toward the north, and the swamp is the only place in thatdirection where they can go to find water, except Duck Lake, and thatis too far for them to fly this stormy night. "

"I wish it was morning, " said Archie, again. "Let's get up. "

"What's the use? It will be five long hours before it will be lightenough to hunt them up; and we might as well go to sleep. "

"I'm afraid we shall sleep too long, " said Archie, again, "and thatsome one will beat us. "

"No fear of that, " answered Frank; "I'll wake you up at threeo'clock. "

And he turned over and arranged his pillow, and in a few moments wasfast asleep. But Archie was so excited that he found it difficult evento lie still; and he lay awake almost two hours, thinking of the sportthey should have in the morning, and at last dropped into an unquietslumber. 

It seemed to him that he had hardly closed his eyes, when a stronghand was laid on his shoulder, and a voice said, in his ear, "Wake up here; it's three o'clock. "

He did not need a second call, but was out on the floor in an instant. 

It was still storming. The wind moaned and whistled through thebranches of the trees around the cottage, and sent the big drops ofrain rattling against the window. It was a wild time to go hunting, and some boys would have preferred tumbling back into bed again. ButFrank and his cousin had made up their minds that if any one got ashot at the geese, they were to be the ones. 

As soon as they were dressed, Frank led the way into the kitchen, and, while he was lighting a fire, Archie brought out of the pantry a panof milk, two spoons and bowls, and a loaf of bread. He was soimpatient to "get a crack at the geese, " as he said, that, although hewas very fond of bread and milk, he could scarcely eat at all. 

"I'm afraid some one will get the start of us, " he exclaimed, noticingthat his cousin, instead of being in a hurry, was taking matters verycoolly. 

"What if they do?" answered Frank, deliberately refilling his bowlfrom the pan. "We shall stand just as good a chance as they do. Itwill not be daylight these two hours. It's as dark as pitch, and allwe can do is to go up to the swamp, and get under a tree, and waituntil it is light enough to see where our geese are. "

As soon as they had finished their breakfast, they brought out theirguns, and began to prepare for the hunt. Extra charges were put ineach barrel; and, while they were drawing on their rubber coats, Archie said, "We had better leave my dogs at home, hadn't we? Lightfoot would maketoo much noise, and Sport, although he would keep still enough, wouldbe of no use to us, for he will not go into the water after a woundedbird. "

"Yes, " said Frank, "we had better leave them behind. But we must haveBrave with us. I'll go and call him. "

And he opened the door, and, walking out upon the piazza, which ranentirely around the cottage, gave a low whistle. There was a slightrustling among the straw in the kennel where the dogs slept, and Bravecame out, and followed his master into the house. 

After wrapping up their guns in their coats, they were ready to setout. 

Half an hour's walk, through mud up to their ankles, brought them toUncle Mike's house, which stood at the end of the road, and, climbingover the fence that inclosed his pasture, they struck off through thewoods toward the lake. 

After picking their way for half a mile over fallen logs, and throughwet, tangled bushes, Frank, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped, and, leaning back against a tree to get out of the rain, said, "Here we are. Had we better try to cross the creek now, or shall wewait until daylight?"

"You must have cat's eyes, " said Archie, trying to peer through thedarkness. "I knew there was a creek here somewhere, but I didn'tsuppose we had reached it yet. "

"Well, we have; and, unless I am very much mistaken, you will find thebridge right before you. Shall we try to cross it now? It will be aslippery job. "

The "bridge" that Frank referred to was simply a large tree that theboys had felled across the creek, and stripped of its branches. Itcould easily be crossed in the day-time, but in a dark, stormy nightit was a difficult task to undertake. The boys could scarcely seetheir hands before them; and Frank had accomplished something worthboasting of in being able to conduct his cousin directly to thebridge. 

"It will require the skill of a rope-dancer to cross that bridge now, "said Archie; "and, if we should happen to slip off into the water, wewould be in a nice fix. "

"Besides, " said Frank, "if we did succeed in crossing, we could not gofar in the dark, on account of the swamp; so, I think, we had betterwait. "

The boys stood under the tree, talking in low tones, when Franksuddenly exclaimed, "We're all right. The geese are in the lake. Do you hear that?"

Archie listened, and heard a splashing in the water, mingled with thehoarse notes of the gander. 

"I wish it was daylight, " said he, impatiently. 

"Don't be in a hurry, " said Frank; "there's time enough. "

"I'm afraid they will start off as soon as it gets light. "

"Oh, no; the lake is a good feeding-ground, and they would stay, perhaps, all day, if they were not disturbed. "

In about an hour the day began to dawn; and, as soon as objects on theopposite side of the creek could be discerned, Frank led the wayacross the bridge. A short run through the woods brought them to theswamp. 

Now the hunt began in earnest. The swamp was covered with water, which, in some places, was two feet deep; and the trees and bushesgrew so thick, that it was with difficulty that they could work theirway through them. Besides, they were obliged to proceed verycarefully, for every step brought them nearer the game; and theslightest splashing in the water, or even the snapping of a twig, might alarm them. 

At length they found themselves on the shore of the lake; and, peeringout from behind a thicket, where they had crept for concealment, theydiscovered, about half-way to the opposite shore, as fine a flock ofgeese as one would wish to see--fifteen of them in all. They wereswimming around, turning their heads first one way and then the other, as if they had been alarmed. 

"It's a long shot, isn't it?" said Archie, measuring the distance withhis eye. 

"Yes, " answered his cousin; "but that is not the worst of it; they aregetting further away from us every moment. "

"Well, " said Archie, cocking his gun, and pushing it carefully throughthe bushes, "you be ready to take them as they rise. "

As he spoke he took a quick aim at the nearest of the flock, andpulled the trigger. The cap snapped. 

"Plague on the gun!" he exclaimed. "Shall I throw it in the lake!"

"No, no, " answered Frank; "try the other barrel; and you had better bequick about it--they're going to fly. "

Archie again raised his gun to his shoulder. This time there was nomistake. The nearest of the geese received the entire charge, and laydead on the water. 

Frank now waited for his turn; but the geese, after skimming along thesurface of the water until they were out of gun-shot, rose in the air, and flew rapidly across the lake. 

As the boys stood watching their flight, they saw a cloud of smokeissue from a clump of bushes on the opposite shore, followed by thereport of a gun, and one of the flock fell to the water, and another, evidently badly wounded, rose high in the air, and flew wildly about. Another puff of smoke rose from the bushes, a second report was heard, and the wounded bird came tumbling into the lake. 

The geese, surprised at this sudden repulse, quickly wheeled, and flewback toward the place where our hunters were stationed. 

Frank raised his gun to his shoulder, and, as soon as they came withinrange, he pulled the trigger, and brought down two geese--onestone-dead, and the other with a broken wing. Hardly waiting to seethe effect of the shot, he fired his second barrel at the flock, justas they were disappearing over the tops of the trees. They had flownso high, that he hardly expected the shot would prove effective. Tohis surprise, one of the flock gradually fell behind, and, aftertrying in vain to support itself, fell slowly through the air, untilit almost reached the water; then it seemed to regain the power ofusing its wings, and began to fly more regularly. 

"Try your gun again, Archie, " said Frank; "I'm afraid we are going tolose him. "

Archie accordingly drew a bead on the goose, but with no bettersuccess, and the bird speedily disappeared over the trees. 

"Confound my luck!" exclaimed Archie, impatiently. "I'll try and keepmy powder dry after this. "

"He can't fly far, " said Frank. "Let's be lively, and we will havehim yet. Here, Brave!" he continued, pointing to the geese in thelake, "fetch 'em out!"

Brave plunged into the water, and made toward the nearest of thegeese, which happened to be the one Frank had wounded. As soon as thebird saw him approaching, instead of trying to save himself by flight, he raised himself in the water, elevated his uninjured wing, and setup a loud hiss. But these hostile demonstrations, instead ofintimidating the Newfoundlander, served rather to enrage him, and hekept on, with open mouth, ready to seize the game. The moment he camewithin reach, the goose thrust out his long neck, and, catching Braveby the ear, dealt him a hard blow over the head with his wing. But hedid not have time to repeat it, for the dog gave a loud, angry yelp, and, springing forward in the water, seized the goose, and killed itwith a single bite; then, turning round, he swam back to the shore, deposited the game at his master's feet, and again plunged in to bringout the others. 

"I wonder who that is on the other side of the lake?" said Archie. 

"I guess it's Bill Johnson, " answered Frank, who had reloaded his gun, and stood holding it in the hollow of his arm. "I saw a dog thatlooked very much like his bringing out the geese. There he is now!"

And as he spoke the boy stepped out of the bushes, and a loud, shrillwhistle echoed across the lake. 

"That's Bill, " said Archie. "Hallo!" he continued, raising his voiceso that William could hear; "wait for us at Uncle Mike's--will you?"

"All right, " shouted William, in reply. 

And, gathering up his game, he again disappeared in the bushes. 

By this time Brave had brought out the last of the geese, and Archiehad succeeded in shooting off the wet charge; so they started backtoward the road. 

Frank led the way, carrying three of the geese; Brave followed closeat his heels, carrying the fourth; and Archie brought up the rear, loading his gun as he went. 

An hour's walk brought them to Uncle Mike's, where they found Williamsitting on the fence, waiting for them. 

"What luck?" inquired Archie, as they came up. 

"Only two, " answered William; "but you have been more fortunate. "

"Yes, " said Archie, "we've got four; and Frank wounded another sobadly that he can't fly far. We are going to look for him in thecreek, as we go along. "

"And I hope we shall get him, " said Frank; "for he was the largest ofthe flock, and I want him for our museum. "

The boys walked slowly down the creek, keeping a good look-out for thewounded bird among the reeds along the bank; but they reached thecottage without seeing any signs of him. 

"I'm afraid we've lost him, " said Archie. 

"I'm sorry, " said Frank, "for he was a nice, big fellow. Let's goback; perhaps we've overlooked him. I am certain that he could nothave flown to the river. "

At this moment a slight splashing in the water, on the opposite sideof the creek, attracted their attention, and they discovered theirgame swimming slowly about among the reeds, as if trying to find someplace of concealment. 

"Now, Archie, " said Frank, dropping the butt of his gun to the ground, "there's a chance for you to retrieve your lost reputation. "

"And I'll take advantage of it, " said Archie, raising his gun to hisshoulder. 

A loud report followed his words, and the goose, after a few slightstruggles, lay motionless on the water. Brave immediately sprang intothe creek, and, forcing his way among the reeds, seized the bird andbrought it to the shore. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Chapter of Incidents. 

The next day had been set apart by Frank and his cousin for asquirrel-hunt; but the first thing they heard, when they awoke in themorning, was the pattering of the rain against their bedroom window, and the hunt was, to use Archie's expression, "up stump. " Althoughthey had been expecting exciting times, bringing down the squirrels(for the woods were fairly alive with them), and were a good dealdisappointed at being obliged to postpone their intended excursion, they were not the ones to complain, they knew there would be manypleasant days before the winter set in, and the hunt was put offwithout ceremony. 

They were at no loss to know how to pass the day. There was plenty ofwork to be done: their traps must be overhauled and put in workingorder; the Speedwell was waiting to be dismasted and put cover; theirfishing-tackle must be oiled and packed away, their pets taken careof and provided with winter-quarters; and there was a host of otherthings to attend to; and they were in no fear that the time would hangheavily on their hands. 

As soon as the boys were dressed, they went into the shop and setmanfully to work. Archie kindled a fire in the stove--for it was acold, unpleasant day--and Frank pulled from under the work-bench alarge chest, filled with spring-traps, "dead-falls, " broken reels, scraps of lead, and numberless other things he had collected, andbegan to pull over the contents. The traps were taken out andsubjected to a thorough rubbing and greasing. 

While thus engaged, their attention was attracted by the peculiar"cawing" of a crow that flew over the shop, and, a moment afterward, awhole chorus of the harsh notes sounded in the direction of the woods. The boys hurried to the door, and saw a multitude of crows pouringfrom every part of the woods, cawing with all their might, anddirecting their course toward a large pine-tree, which stood in themeadow back of the orchard, and which was already covered with them. 

"What's the matter?" inquired Archie. 

"They act as if they had discovered an owl, " answered Frank. 

"Have they? Let's go and shoot him. "

"That will, probably, be a harder job than you anticipate, " saidFrank. "However, we will try. "

After shutting the dogs up in the shop, the boys ran into the house, drew on their rubber coats, and started through the orchard, loadingtheir guns as they went--putting an extra charge of powder and acouple of buck-shot into each barrel. 

In a few moments they reached the fence that ran between the orchardand the meadow, and Archie inquired, "What shall we do now?"

"We can't go much further, " said Frank, drawing a flap of his coatover his gun, to protect it from the rain. "There isn't a stump, oreven a tuft of grass, in the meadow large enough to cover us. Besides, if we undertake to climb over the fence, every crow will be out ofsight in a moment; then good-by, owl. "

"He wouldn't fly off, would he?"

"I should say he would, " answered Frank, with a laugh. "He'd leavelike a streak of lightning. "

"That's news to me. I always thought owls couldn't see in theday-time. Natural history says so. "

"I know it, " said Frank. "But there is one thing certain: they must beable to see a little, or else their sense of smell or hearing is veryacute for it is very difficult to get a shot at them, even in theday-time. That one in our museum led me a chase of half a day before Ishot him, and I had a rifle, too. "

"What is to be done now?" inquired Archie. "We don't want to standhere in the rain much longer. "

"We must wait until he flies into the woods, or somewhere else, sothat we can get a shot at him. "

"I can make him fly. I've killed squirrels further off than that, manya time. Suppose I shoot at him?"

"Shoot away; but you must remember that an owl and a squirrel are twodifferent things. The thick feathers of the owl will glance a chargeof shot that would blow a squirrel to pieces. "

Archie made no reply, but crawled up behind a thick cluster ofcurrant-bushes that grew close by the fence, and, thrusting his gunbetween the branches, was settling himself into a comfortableposition, when the owl suddenly leaped from his perch, and flew offtoward the woods, as Frank had said he would, "like a streak oflightning, " followed by the whole flock of his tormentors, whichscreamed with all their might. 

"Now's our time, " said Frank. "Come on!"

And, clearing the fence at a bound, he started across the meadow atthe top of his speed. Archie followed close at his heels, and a fewminutes run brought them to the edge of the woods. 

"Now the hunt begins in earnest, " said Frank, "We must separate; weshall make too much noise if we go together. "

"Where's the owl?" inquired Archie. 

"As near as I can guess, he must be in that tall hemlock, " answeredFrank, pointing through the woods toward the tree in question. 

Archie immediately moved cautiously off in the direction indicated, leaving his cousin to take care if himself. 

Guided by the noise made by the crows, he soon discovered the owl, notwhere Frank had supposed him to be, but on a tree that stood to theright, and several rods further off. Placing a large tree betweenhimself and the game, he threw himself on his hands and knees, andcrawled along as silently as possible, taking good care to keep out ofsight of the crows. 

He had arrived almost within range of the owl, when he found beforehim a spot of considerable extent, which was entirely destitute ofbushes or large trees, and covered only with saplings, which grew sothinly that he would certainly be discovered if he attempted to passthrough them. This brought him to a stand-still. He stood thinkingwhether he had better risk a shot at the owl or retrace his steps, when one of the crews uttered a cry of warning, which was immediatelyanswered by the others, and the whole flock was out of sight in aninstant. The owl gazed around a moment with his great eyes, thenspread his wings, leaped into the air, and was flying rapidly away, when there was a sharp report, and he came tumbling to the ground, andthe indefatigable Frank rose from the bushes, and ran forward tosecure his prize. 

"Dished again!" said Archie, to himself. "I would have wagered a gooddeal that Frank was not within gun-shot. "

"I say, Archie, where are you?" called out Frank. 

"Here I am. I thought, sure, that owl was mine. "

And Archie came forward, holding his gun in the hollow of his arm, andlooking a little crest-fallen. 

"You were not far behind, " said Frank, laughing. 

"That's poor consolation. I wanted to be first. Never mind, " he added, catching up the owl, and throwing it over his shoulder, "I'll be aheadof you yet. "

This generous rivalry had existed between the cousins from theirearliest boyhood. In all athletic sports--such as running, ball-playing, swimming, and the like--Archie was acknowledged to bethe superior; but in hunting Frank generally carried off the palm. Archie, however, perseveringly kept up the contest, and endeavored toaccomplish, by bold and rapid movements, what his cousin gained bystrategy; and, although he sometimes bore off the prize, he morefrequently succeeded in "knocking every thing in the head" by what theboys called his "carelessness. "

This was the source of a great deal of merriment between the cousins;and, although they sometimes felt a little mortified at their defeat(as did Archie now), they ever afterward spoke of it as a "good joke. "

After breakfast the boys went into the shop again, and Frank sharpenedhis knife, and began to remove the skin of the owl, intending to stuffit and place it in the museum, while Archie took his ax and startedfor a grove of willows, that grew on the banks of the creek, to getsome timber to make a dead-fall trap. He had been gone scarcely amoment before he returned in a great hurry, and, throwing down his ax, seized his gun, which stood in the corner behind the door, exclaiming, "Now I've got a chance to make up for losing that owl. A flock ofducks, regular canvas-backs, have just flown over, and I think theylit in the swamp. You'll have to make tracks to get the start of methis time. "

And he shouldered his gun, and ran out of the shop, banging the doorafter him. 

Frank immediately dropped the owl, caught up his gun, and started inhot pursuit. But his cousin had made the most of his time, and, whenFrank reached the gate, he saw Archie far up the road, tearing alongas fast as his legs could carry him, and spattering the mud in everydirection. 

Under any other circumstances, Frank would have stopped to laugh; but, as it was, he had no time to lose. So he ran down the bank of thecreek, and, untying his skiff, pushed out into the stream, and a fewstrokes of the oars brought him to the opposite shore; then, fasteningthe skiff to a tree, he started through the woods, toward the swamp. This enabled him to gain on his cousin almost half a mile. 

But Archie happened to have luck on his side this time; for the ducks, instead of alighting in the swamp, as he had supposed, had come downin the creek; and, as he was hurrying along the road, which ran closeto the creek, a slight splashing in the water and a hoarse "quack"attracted his attention, and caused him to proceed with more caution. He listened until the noise was repeated, in order that he might knowexactly where the ducks were, and then began to worm his way throughthe wet bushes, in the direction of the sound. At length he crawled upbehind a large log, that lay close to the water's edge, and had thesatisfaction of finding the game fairly before him. 

But the most difficult part of the undertaking was yet to come. Theducks--seven of them in all--were fully twenty rods off; and, althoughArchie had great confidence in the "shooting qualities" of his gun, hehardly dared to fire--he might only wound the birds; and, as he had noammunition with him besides the loads in his gun, he was anxious tomake every shot tell. 

"This won't do, " he soliloquized. "I must get up nearer. "

He was about to retrace his steps, when he noticed that the ducksbegan to move impatiently around, and acted as if about to fly. 

In an instant Archie's mind was made up; it was now or never; and, taking a quick aim at the nearest of the flock, he blazed away. It washis only chance, and a slim one at that, for the distance was so greatthat he hardly expected the shot would take effect; but, when thesmoke cleared away, he discovered one of the flock lying motionless onthe water, and another, too badly wounded to rise, was swimming slowlyaround him. The rest of the flock were skimming along the surface ofthe creek, toward the swamp. They were far beyond the range of hisgun, and he knew it would do no good to fire at them; so he concluded, to use his own expression, to "make sure of what he had got, " and, taking aim at the wounded bird, was about to give it the contents ofthe other barrel, when he heard the report of a gun some distancefurther up the creek, and looked up just in time to see one of thebirds fall into the water. 

"Who's that, I wonder, " said Archie, to himself. "It can't be Frank, for he wouldn't be on that side of the creek; besides, I had a goodlong start of him. "

His soliloquy was cut short by the movements of the flock, which, instead of continuing on their course up the creek, rose higher in theair, and flew about in confusion. 

This opportunity was not lost by the concealed sportsman, and a secondbird came down with a broken wing. The ducks then wheeled and flewback toward the place where Archie was stationed. As soon as they camewithin range, he fired and brought down another bird, which landedamong the bushes on the opposite side of the creek. 

He now turned his attention to the wounded duck, which was swimming ina circle around his dead companion, as if perfectly bewildered. 

"I wish I had my powder-flask and shot-bag, " said Archie. "How foolishI was not to bring them! I bet that I'll never start out again withonly one load in my gun. "

But there was no time for regrets. The duck seemed to be recoveringhis strength, and began co flap his wings, as if preparing to fly. Archie began to fear that he should lose him; and, throw down hisgun, he gathered up an armful of sticks and branches, and straightwayopened fire on the bird. The duck dodged the missiles like a flash, and every now and then renewed his attempts to fly; but, at length, aheavy piece of root struck him, and stretched him out lifeless on thewater. 

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed a strong, cheery voice. "That's what I callshooting ducks under difficulties. "

Archie looked up and saw his cousin standing on the opposite side ofthe creek, with his gun on one shoulder and two of the flock slungover the other. 

"I came very near getting the start of you, after all--didn't I?"continued Frank. 

"Was that you shooting up there?" inquired Archie. 

"Yes; I had almost reached the swamp, when I happened to think thatperhaps the ducks might be in the creek, so I turned back. "

"A lucky circumstance for you. But I beat you, after all. I've gotthree ducks. "

"Where are they? I don't see but two. "

"The other is over there in the bushes, somewhere. "

Frank immediately commenced looking for it, and Archie procured a longbranch, and waded out as far as possible into the creek, and, afterconsiderable exertion and a thorough wetting, succeeded in pullingboth of his ducks to the shore. 

During the three weeks that followed, the boys passed the time invarious ways--sometimes hunting in the woods or on the river, but morefrequently working in the shop. They also spent considerable time inattending to their pets. The young otter proved to be the mostinteresting little animal they had ever seen. He grew quite tame, andwhen the boys entered the room where he was kept, he would come towardthem, uttering a faint whine, and, if they seated themselves, he wouldjump up into their laps, and search through their pockets forsomething to eat--such as bread or crackers, of which the boys alwaystook especial care to have a good supply. 

At length they began to long for winter, and many were thespeculations as to when the "first fell of snow" would come. Theirtraps were all in order, and they were impatient for an opportunity tomake use of them. Besides, they had agreed with George and Harry to"go fox-hunting the very first time there was snow enough fortracking. "

A week more passed, and Thanksgiving Day came; and in the eveningFrank and his cousin went down to visit George and Harry, intending, as they said, to "stay only a few minutes. " But Mr. Butler soon camein, and began to relate some of his "sailor yarns, " as he called them(for he was a retired sea-captain), and the boys became so interestedin listening to them, that they did not notice how rapidly the timeflew by, and it was ten o'clock before they knew it. They then badethe Captain "good-night. " George and Harry, as usual, agreed toaccompany them part of the way, and, when they reached the door, whatwas their surprise to find the ground white with snow, and the airfilled with the rapidly-falling flakes. 

"We'll have that fox-hunt to-morrow, " exclaimed Harry, in delight. 

"Of course we will, " said Archie, "and I wouldn't take ten dollars formy chance of catching one. "

"You mean, if the snow doesn't melt, " said Frank, quietly. 

"Oh, that's always the way with you, " said Archie. "What makes you tryto throw cold water on all our expectations, in that way?"

"I didn't intend to, " answered Frank, with a laugh; "but, you know, wehave been disappointed very often. "

"Yes, " said George, "but I guess we are all right this time. It snowspretty fast, and the air doesn't feel like a thaw or rain. "

Frank acknowledged this; and they walked along, talking about theexciting times they expected to have on the morrow, until they reachedthe "big elm"--a large tree that stood leaning over the creek, justhalf-way between Captain Butler's and where Frank lived. Here Georgeand Harry stopped, and, after promising to be at the cottage early onthe following morning, turned their faces homeward. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The Grayhound Outgeneraled. 

The next morning, at an early hour, George and Harry arrived at thecottage, and, after a light and hastily-eaten breakfast, they set out. Frank and Harry were armed, as usual, with their guns, while theothers carried axes. They crossed the meadow at the back of theorchard, passed through the cornfield which had been the scene of the'coon-hunt, a few weeks before, and struck out through the woods. Thedogs were then sent out ahead, and they had not gone more than half amile, when Sport uttered a long, loud howl, and, when the boys came upwith him, he was running impatiently about with his nose close to theground. 

"A fox has been along here, " said Frank, bending over and examining atrack in the snow, "and the trail looks fresh. "

"Hunt 'em up! hunt 'em up!" shouted Archie, excitedly, waving his handto the dogs. 

Sport bounded off on the track like a shot, and Lightfoot followedclose after. Brave barked and howled furiously, and acted as if hewished very much to accompany them; but the swift hounds would havedistanced him in a moment. 

It must not be supposed that it was the intention of the boys tofollow up the hounds--that would have been worse than useless. Perhapsthe chase would continue for several hours. They had once hunted a foxall day, without coming in sight of him. Reynard has ways and habitsof his own, which a person who has had experience in hunting himunderstands. He always runs with the wind, and generally follows aridge. The hunters take advantage of this, and "run cross-lots" tomeet him, sometimes gaining on him several miles in this manner. 

The moment the hounds had disappeared on the trail, Frank--who knewall the "run-ways" of the game like a book--led the way through thewoods toward a ridge that lay about a mile distant, where theyexpected the fox would pass. 

A quarter of an hour's run brought them to this ridge, and they beganto conceal themselves behind trees and bushes, when Archie suddenlyexclaimed, "We're dished, boys. The fox has already passed. "

"Come on, then, " said Frank. "No time to lose. We must try again. "

And he again led the way, on a keen run, through a strip of woods, across a wide meadow toward another ridge, that lay fully three milesdistant. 

At length the baying of the hounds echoed through the woods, far belowthem. Louder and louder it grew, and, in a few moments, they swept upthe ridge in full cry. The boys hurried on as rapidly as possible, andreached the ridge in about an hour. Although they were accustomed tosuch sport, they were pretty well tired out. They had run the greaterpart of the way through thick woods, filled with fallen logs andtangled bushes; but they now felt confident that the hunt was nearlyover. They knew they had gained considerably on the fox, and hiscapture would be an ample reward for their trouble. 

As soon as they reached the ridge, they threw themselves rapidlyacross it in all directions, and, to their delight, discovered thatthe fox had not yet passed. They stationed themselves in such a mannerthat it would be impossible for him to pass on either side of themwithout coming within reach of their guns, and patiently awaited hisappearance. They had not remained long in this position, when Archie, who was stationed lowest down the ridge, exclaimed in a subdued voice, "There they come, boys! Now, look sharp!"

The boys listened intently, and heard, faint and far off, thewell-known bay of Sport. It was sharp and short--very different fromthe note he had uttered when the chase first commenced. Louder andlouder grew the noise, as the hounds came rapidly up the ridge towardthe place where the boys were stationed, and every one was on thealert, expecting every moment to see the fox break cover. 

Suddenly a loud howl blended with Sport's baying, and the houndsseemed to turn and sweep down the valley. 

"The fox has left the ridge, boys, " said Frank. 

"Then we're dished again, " exclaimed Archie. 

"Perhaps not, " continued Frank. "He will have to go across the meadow, and will run the risk of being caught by Lightfoot. We must try andcut him off. "

And he led the way down the ridge, in the direction the chase wastending. 

In a few moments the hounds broke out into a continuous cry, and, whenthe boys emerged from the woods, they saw them standing at the foot ofa tall stump, which stood near the middle of the meadow. 

Brave immediately ran to join them, and Harry exclaimed, "I'd like to know what those dogs are doing there?"

"Why, they've got the fox treed, " said Frank. 

"A fox treed!" repeated Harry, with a laugh, "Whoever heard of such athing?"

"I have often read, " answered Frank, "that when a fox is hard pressed, and finds himself unable to escape, he will take advantage of anyplace of concealment he can find. "

While this conversation was going on, the boys had been running towardthe stump, and, when they reached it, they found Brave with his headburied in a hole near the ground, now and then giving his tail a jerk, but otherwise remaining as motionless as a statue. 

"What do you think now of the possibility of seeing a fox?" inquiredFrank, turning to Harry. 

"I don't believe it yet, " said the latter. 

"Then how is it that the dogs are here?"

"The fox may have run down here and doubled on his trail, and thusthrown the dogs off the scent. "

"He didn't have time to do that, " said Archie, who had divestedhimself of his coat, and stood with his ax, ready to cut down thestump. "He's in here, I'm certain. See how Brave acts. "

"It will not take long to find out, " said George, who was a good dealof his brother's opinion that the fox was not in the tree. 

And he and Archie set to work, with the intention of cutting it down. But it was found to be hollow; and, after taking out a few chips, Archie stooped down to take a survey of the interior, and spied thefox crouched in the darkest corner. 

"Hand me your gun, Frank, " said he; "I'll shoot him. "

"I wouldn't shoot him, " said Frank. "It is a good time to tryLightfoot's speed. Let's get the fox out, and give him a fair start, and if he gets away from the hound, he is entitled to his life. "

The boys readily agreed to this proposal--not out of any desire togive the fox a chance for his liberty, but in order to witness a fairtrial of the grayhound's speed, and to enjoy the excitement of therace. 

George and Harry provided themselves with long poles, with which to"poke" the fox out of his refuge. Brave and Sport were unceremoniouslyconducted away from the tree, and ordered to "lie down;" and Franktook hold of the grayhound, intending to restrain him until the foxcould get a fair start. 

"All ready now, " said Archie. "Keep a good look-out, Frank, and letthe hound go the instant the fox comes out. You know, Lightfoot isyoung yet, and it won't do to give the game too long a start. "

"All right, " answered Frank. 

And he tightened his grasp on the strong, impatient animal, whichstruggled desperately to free himself, while George and Harry beganthe work of "poking out the fox. " They thrust their poles into theholes they had cut in the roots of the stump, and the next moment outpopped the fox, and started toward the woods like a streak of light. 

The meadow was about a mile and a half square, and was laid off in"dead furrows"--deep ditches, which are dug, about four rods apart, todrain off the water. The fox took to the bank of one of these furrows, and followed it at a rate of speed which the boys had never seenequaled. 

The moment Lightfoot discovered him, he raised himself on hishind-legs, and struggled and fought furiously. But Frank would notrelease him in that position, for fear the hound would "throw"himself; and he commenced striking him on the head, to compel him, ifpossible, to place his fore-feet on the ground, but all to no purpose. 

During the struggle, short as it was, the fox had gained nearly thirtyrods. Archie was not slow to notice this, and he shouted to hiscousin, "Let him go! let him go! The fox has too long a start already. "

Frank accordingly released the hound, which made an enormous bound, and, as Frank had expected, he landed, all in a heap, in one of thedead furrows, and, before he could recover himself, the fox hadgained two or three rods more. But when the hound was fairly started, his speed was astonishing. He settled down nobly to his work, andmoved over the ground as lightly as if he had been furnished withwings. 

Had he been a well-trained dog, the boys would have felt no concernwhatever as to the issue of the race; but, as it was, they looked uponthe escape of the fox as a very probable thing. The fox was stillfollowing the dead furrow, and Lightfoot, instead of pursuing directlyafter him, as he ought to have done, took to another furrow which ranparallel to the one the fox was following, and about four rods fromit. 

The fox had a good start, but the enormous bounds of the greyhoundrapidly lessened the distance between them; he gained at every step, and finally overtook him, and the two animals were running side byside, and only four rods apart. 

Suddenly the cunning fox turned, and started off exactly at rightangles with the course he had been following. The gray hound, ofcourse, had not been expecting this, and he made a dozen of his longbounds before he could turn himself. During this time the fox gainedseveral rods. 

As before, the hound pursued a course parallel with that of the fox, instead of following directly after him. 

In a few moments they were again running side by side, but this timefurther apart than before. Again and again the fox turned, each timenearing the woods, and gaining considerably; and finally, reaching theend of the meadow, he cleared the fence at a bound, and disappeared inthe bushes. 

"Now, that's provoking!" exclaimed Archie. 

"Never mind, " answered Frank. "I don't think the fox can go muchfurther. He must be pretty well tired out, judging by the way he ran. Here, Sport!" he continued, "hunt 'em up!"

Sport was off like a shot, and the boys followed after as fast astheir legs could carry them. 

When they reached the woods, they found Lightfoot beating about in thebushes, as if he expected to find the fox concealed among them. Sportwas standing over the trail of the fox, as motionless as if he hadbeen turned into stone. 

"Hunt 'em up!" shouted Frank, again--"hunt 'em up. "

The hound uttered a loud bark, and instantly set off on the trail, andLightfoot, as before, followed close at his heels. 

"Now, " exclaimed Frank, "we must change our tactics. "

"Yes, " said Harry. "A little further on, the ridge branches off, andthere is no knowing which one the fox will follow. Come, George, wewill go this way. "

And he turned and ran down into the meadow again. 

"Run like blazes, now!" shouted Frank. 

And, suiting the action to the word, he turned off in the oppositedirection, and led the way through the woods at a rate which madeArchie wonder. They ran along in "Indian file"--Brave bringing up therear--for almost two miles, through the thickest part of the woods, when they again found themselves on the ridge. After ascertaining thatthe fox had not yet passed, they took their stations. 

"I would really like to know which way that fox went, " said Archie, panting hard after his long run. 

"I am almost certain that he took to the other ridge, " answered Frank. "I think we should have heard the hound before this time, if he hadturned this way. "

They remained in their places of concealment for almost an hour, without hearing any sounds of the chase, and Frank said, "We might as well start for home. "

"Dished again, are we?" said Archie, in a deprecating tone. "That'stoo bad! Well, " he continued, "we can't always be the fortunate ones, but I wish I could have had the pleasure of shooting that fox. Butwhich way do we go to get home?"

"We must go exactly south, " said Frank. 

"Which way is that?"

"I will soon tell you. "

And Frank drew a small compass from his pocket, and, in a moment, continued, "This is the way. Come on!"

And he turned his face, as Archie thought, directly _from_ home, andstruck boldly out. Their long run had taxed their endurance to theutmost. If they had "been in practice, " they would have looked upon itas merely a "little tramp;" for, during the previous winter, they hadoften followed a fox all day without experiencing any seriousinconvenience; but, as this was the first exercise of the kind theyhad had for almost a year, they felt the effects of it prettyseverely. 

Archie, who had lived in the city during the summer, was "completelyused up, " as he expressed it; and his cousin was weary and footsore;and it seemed as though neither of them had sufficient strength leftto take another step. 

They kept on, hour after hour, however, without once stopping to rest;and, about three o'clock in the afternoon, they climbed over the fencethat inclosed Uncle Mike's pasture, and came in sight of the cottage. 

George and Harry were sitting on the piazza, and, as soon as they camewithin speaking distance, the latter held up the fox, exclaiming, "We were lucky, for once in our lives. "

"If we had been five minutes later, we should have lost him, " saidGeorge, as Frank and his cousin came up to where the brothers weresitting. "We reached the ridge just in the 'nick of time, ' The fox wasjust passing, and Harry brought him down by a chance shot. Here, Frank, " he continued, "you take the fox; we have no use for him. "

Frank thanked him; and the boys then went into the house, and, afterdinner, the brothers started for home. 

Frank and his cousin went into the study, and the former selected hisfavorite book from his library, and settled himself in an easy-chairbefore the fire; while Archie stretched himself on the bed, and wasfast asleep in a moment. 

And here, reader, we will leave them reposing after their long run;but we hope soon to introduce them again in works entitled, "FRANK INTHE WOODS, " and "FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE. "

THE END.