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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15188-8.txt b/15188-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..be5d252 --- /dev/null +++ b/15188-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6070 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums After Big Game, by Captain Quincy Allen + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Chums After Big Game + Or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness + +Author: Captain Quincy Allen + +Release Date: February 27, 2005 [EBook #15188] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME *** + + + + +Produced by Janet Kegg, Charles Aldarondo, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + [Illustration: FILLED WITH MAD RAGE, HE WAS GALLOPING STRAIGHT + TOWARD THEM!--_Frontispiece_.--_Page 66_] + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + +OR + +Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness + + + +BY + +CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + +AUTHOR OF "THE OUTDOOR CHUMS," +"THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE," ETC. + + + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + + + +NEW YORK +GROSSET & DUNLAP +PUBLISHERS + + + + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + + BY CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE + Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST + Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF + Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness + + _12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, per volume, 50 cents postpaid._ + + + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + + COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY GROSSET & DUNLAP + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_ + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I GLORIOUS NEWS 1 + II THE MOTORCYCLE THIEVES 14 + III HOMEWARD BOUND BY MOONLIGHT 22 + IV STARTING HANK RIGHT 31 + V WESTWARD BOUND 40 + VI AT THE VALLEY RANCH 49 + VII THE GRIZZLY AT BAY 60 + VIII BLUFF MISSES SOMETHING 67 + IX FRANK HAS HIS TURN 76 + X THE YOUNG HUNTER AND THE ELK 87 + XI THE ELK AND THE YOUNG HUNTER 96 + XII HARD LUCK 105 + XIII AN INVADER IN CAMP 116 + XIV THE COWBOY GUIDE 125 + XV IN THE RAPIDS 134 + XVI THE NEW CAMP 143 + XVII AT THE CAMPFIRE OF THE CREES 153 + XVIII AN INVITATION TO COME OUT 162 + XIX A STRANGE DISCLOSURE 173 + XX "WE MUST CUT AND RUN FOR IT!" 182 + XXI NEVER GIVE UP 191 + XXII THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS 198 + XXIII THE STAMPEDE 206 + XXIV A MYSTERY SOLVED 215 + XXV HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION 225 + + + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + + + + +CHAPTER I + +GLORIOUS NEWS + + +"Hello, there, _Red Rover_! Come alongside!" + +"What's the row, fellows? This dandy breeze is too good to be wasted +loafing." + +"Frank's coming in the _Jupiter_, and coming like a streak!" + +"Yes, and more than that, Bluff, he waves his hat as though he had great +news!" + +Will Milton and Jerry Wallington sat in the double canoe, that with +flapping sails pointed its stem into the wind; while their chum, Richard +Masters, known among all his schoolmates as Bluff, manipulated the +dainty fifteen-foot cedar craft in which he had been speeding over the +surface of Camalot Lake. + +Another midget boat, constructed on the same lines as that in which +Bluff was seated, came flying down before the wind, and presently +brought up alongside the other craft. + +It contained a single young fellow, upon whose frank and open face +rested a broad smile that seemed to prophesy pleasing news. + +"What makes you look so happy, Frank? Evidently you've heard that your +examination papers were up to the standard, and it's college next year +for yours," remarked Bluff with eagerness, and, it must be confessed, a +tinge of envy in his quivering voice. + +"Right for you! But that is only the beginning of my news!" cried Frank +Langdon as he reached out and caught Jerry by the arm. + +"Am I in it?" demanded that worthy, seeming to catch his breath. + +"Well, I should say you were, and with even better honors than poor me. +Now, the rest of you fellows, don't look that way. It's all right, I +tell you," went on the bearer of news, trying to control his own voice, +but succeeding only a little better than Jerry. + +"Say! do you mean it? Did Bluff and I get through, after all?" exclaimed +Will. + +Frank nodded his head enthusiastically. + +"Careful, now, you wild Indians! Just remember that you're in canoes +that can be upset easily, and unless you want a ducking out in the +middle of the lake, restrain your enthusiasm a bit, please. It isn't the +easiest thing in the world, climbing over the stern of a canoe with all +your clothes on," he warned them. + +"But is it really true?" pleaded Will. "Have I crawled through decently? +Well, I'm glad; not only because it will keep four chums together a +while longer, in college, but my mother has set her heart on this thing. +Yes, I'm mighty well pleased." + +Will's mother was a rich widow, and as he had only a twin sister, +Violet, for whom Frank entertained a pronounced liking, the two were +more than ordinarily dear to Mrs. Milton. + +"Well, fellows, let's give one mighty cheer because of our good +fortune," said Jerry, his face beaming with delight; for the chums were +very fond of each other, and had a single one been left behind on the +following year, when the college term opened, there would have been many +a keen regret. + +"Hip, hip, hurrah! Hurrah! hurrah! Tiger!" + +No doubt, many persons ashore, who heard that lusty shout come ringing +over the clear water of the beautiful little lake on which the town of +Centerville was located, wondered what the burst of enthusiasm meant. + +But then they knew these four boys were built along the right lines, +and that while they loved the whole outdoors, with its attendant +exciting times, never had they been known to indulge in mean pranks. + +After the cheer had died away there was a shaking of hands all around. + +"Fellows, it begins to look as though our great trip to the Gulf of +Mexico last winter might not be our last grand outing, after all. You +know what our parents promised us if we went through all right?" + +"Hear! hear! Frank has the floor!" cried Jerry. + +"We were to have our choice of an extended tour through Yellowstone Park +to California, and return by way of the Canadian Rockies; or a grand +hunt in the wilderness, wherever we chose to take it. That was the idea, +wasn't it?" went on the happy occupant of the _Jupiter_. + +"Talk to me about your personally conducted tours all you please, +nothing appeals to me like a real old hunt in the Great West," said +Jerry ecstatically. "Haven't I just longed for a chance to look at a big +elk in his native wilds, for years? And the thought of a grizzly bear +sends a thrill of pleasure through me." + +"And as for me, haven't I lain awake nights without number thinking +about what bliss it would be to actually snap off a few pictures of +those same animals right where they live? How tame to go to a menagerie +and get a photo of a poor old bear behind the bars, when a fellow has a +chance to take him in the open!" + +Of course it was Will who made this remark. He was the official +photographer of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, as our four boy friends +called themselves, and his ambition to secure striking scenes, with wild +game in the center of the stage, had already led him into quite a few +scrapes, just as it would again when the opportunity presented itself. + +"But what I have told you isn't quite all," remarked Frank presently, +when the chatter of voices allowed him a chance to get in a few words +edgewise. + +"What else have you got up your sleeve?" demanded Bluff. + +"Yes, confess everything, and perhaps we'll forgive you," came from +Will. + +"Well, I've had a letter." And Frank held something up. + +"From that old side partner of Jesse Wilcox, the trapper whose camp we +used to visit during our fall hunt?" cried Jerry. + +Frank nodded his head. + +"And what does he say? Hurry up, and tell. Can't you see that Bluff, +here, will be overboard? He's leaning so far over the side that the +water is ready to pour in over the gunwale. Will Martin Mabie take us +out?" asked Jerry. + +"He says he will be glad to do so, for old friendship's sake. I'm to +wire when to expect us, and leave the rest to him," Frank explained. + +"I hope he has told you what we are to fetch along. We've done some +hunting, fellows, in our time, but that sort of thing, with big game in +prospect, calls for heavier gear. None of your repeating shotguns need +apply this trip, Bluff, you understand?" + +Jerry could never become wholly reconciled to the modern gun Bluff +owned. He professed to be such a clean sportsman that he always believed +in giving the game a chance, and declared it to be next door to murder +to have six shots in hand when hunting birds. With big game, it was all +right, because then a fellow's life might often be in danger. + +"Oh, Martin Mabie has written quite a long letter. He seems to be an +educated man, and not at all the brand we figured out from hearing Jesse +talk about him. Boys, we can now lay our plans, and make a start inside +of a week," declared Frank. + +"Isn't it just great? Did ever a set of grads get such a chance for fun +as this?" + +"I don't believe they ever did, or ever will, Bluff. And our folks have +been mighty good to give us this glorious opportunity to enjoy an outing +such as we've hankered after for a year, remember that, fellows," +remarked Frank seriously. + +"You can just wager that I make it a point to let the pater know my +sentiments. He's the best dad going, and I mean to make him proud of me +some day. But tell us more about it, Frank. Where is Martin Mabie to +meet us, and what does he tell us to fetch along?" + +"I'm not going to say another word, Jerry, until we get to the +clubhouse, when every one of you can have a chance to read his letter," +remarked Frank as he prepared to cast off and throw his sails to the +breeze again. + +"A week, did you say? Oh! what a long time to wait!" groaned Bluff. + +"Still, there are lots of things to be done. I think it may be necessary +for one of us to run down to the city to lay in some things in the way +of ammunition, and a few articles of clothing for mountain wear." + +"Then we'll appoint you as a committee of one to see to such traps, +Frank," called Jerry as the other shot away with the wind, his canoe +gliding over the little wavelets like a phantom craft. + +Frank smiled. It was certainly nice to know that his chums felt such +sincere confidence in him at all times. There was nothing he would not +do to give them pleasure. + +So the three cedar boats were soon heading for the clubhouse, and while +they are thus employed it might be well for us to understand just who +these chums were, and what they had been doing in the past to make them +such firm friends. + +Frank was from Maine, but his father, a banker, had come to Centerville +a few years back; and among all the boys attending the Academy Frank had +soon picked out as his especial friends these three, Will Milton, Jerry +Wallingford and Bluff Masters. + +After the Rod, Gun and Camera Club had been formed they had taken their +first outing, using their motorcycles to reach the woods beyond the head +of the lake. What befell them on this occasion has been told in the +first volume of this series, called "The Outdoor Chums; or, The First +Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club." + +Later on, a storm having done considerable damage at the school, they +were given an unexpected fall vacation, and the chums decided to spend +it on Wildcat Island, situated at the foot of the lake. There were +several strange things connected with this island, such as a mysterious +wild man who had been seen there; and besides, it was shunned because of +the fierce bobcats that had possession. How our boys camped on this +island, and what wonderful adventures they met with there, can be +learned by reading the second volume, entitled "The Outdoor Chums on the +Lake; or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island." + +When the Easter holidays came around they had laid out another charming +campaign. This was nothing more nor less than an expedition to Oak +Ridge, that lay some ten miles back from the lake, amid the Sunset +Mountains. Report had it that there was a real ghost to be seen there, +and the boys were bent on discovering the truth of this weird story. It +can be easily understood that they must have had a glorious time on that +trip, viewed from the standpoint of an eager, adventure-loving boy. But +the story is set down in full in the third volume, and you can read it +for yourselves in "The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying the Ghost +of Oak Ridge." + +No further long jaunts came the way of the quartet during the school +term, up to the Christmas holidays, when they received permission to +undertake a trip to the Sunny South. Just how this came about, and what +wonders they saw and experienced on a Florida river, as well as upon +the great Mexican Gulf, have been told in the fourth book of the series, +called "The Outdoor Chums on the Gulf; or, Rescuing the Lost +Balloonists." + +And now it seemed as though, less than six months later, they were ready +to embark on what promised to be the most exciting trip of all, a visit +to the wilderness of the great Northwest, in search of big game. + +Reaching the clubhouse, they quickly stowed their boats away. From this +time on there would probably be scant time for aquatic sports. The +tremendous undertaking they had in view would, very likely, occupy all +their spare moments. + +"Now let's have that letter, Frank. We want to con it so that every word +will be photographed on our brains from this time on. Didn't old Jesse +say that Martin Mabie was a big stockman now, and had really quit being +a guide and hunter? Then it's mighty kind of him to undertake to convoy +a raft of tenderfeet into the wilderness. Money didn't enter into it, +that's sure," said Bluff. + +"He mentions having had a long letter from Jesse," remarked Frank. + +"That settles it, then. Our good old friend has been telling him +everything we ever did, and got him interested. We must make it a point +to run up and see Jesse before we go, and thank him." + +"You're right about that, Jerry," said Frank warmly. "I was thinking the +same, myself. But here's the letter. Read it for yourselves." + +Various were the comments after this had been done. + +"Talk to me about your good fellows! That Martin Mabie stands in a class +of his own," observed Jerry. "Think of him offering to take us into the +mountains for weeks, and see that we have the time of our lives! And he +warns us not to mention the word money to him unless we want to break up +the game. I sure am anxious to shake hands with that same friend of old +Jesse." + +"I move we start up there right now and see Jesse. The day is fine, and +when can we spare the time better?" suggested Will, who secretly wanted +just another chance to try a snapshot of the queer cabin which the +trapper occupied. + +"Second the motion!" cried Bluff eagerly. + +"I'm some cramped, myself, from sitting so long in that canoe. Perhaps a +run on our motorcycles might give me relief. So I say go," came from +Jerry. + +Frank himself believed it would be a good idea. He knew that once they +started making preparations for their Western trip nothing was apt to +tear them away. + +"All right, boys. It's going to be a full moon to-night. Suppose we stop +over and have a parting supper with Jesse? He'd be dreadfully tickled at +the notion. Tell your folks at home, and meet me at the Forks in not +more than half an hour." + +Frank hustled the others out of the boathouse, locked the door, and then +the four chums hastened to their various homes. + +Ere the half hour was up they came together at the forks of the road, +just out of Centerville. Frank was first on hand, as usual, but even +laggard Will showed up on time, camera and all. + +In single file, and with a little space separating them, they started +off, the motors soon popping merrily as the boys entered into the spirit +of the occasion. + +The air was fresh as they sped along the dusty road. The leader was ever +ready to signal a slow-down in case they met a farmer with a load of +hay, going to market, or any other vehicle. This was rendered necessary +because the cloud of dust might blind the eyes of those who came after, +and a collision be the result. + +In this fashion they arrived at the lumber camp, which was deserted at +this time of year. From there on the pace had to be slowed down, for the +road was only used by logging teams, and hardly suitable for +motorcycles. + +They were plugging along, each keeping his eyes open for obstacles apt +to present themselves, such as roots cropping up above the surface, when +the leader gave a sudden toot upon the little horn attached to his +machine that warned the others a stop was imperative. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MOTORCYCLE THIEVES + + +"What's gone wrong, Frank?" demanded Bluff, dropping off his seat. + +"In luck again, for I'd have banged up against that big root if Frank +hadn't given the signal just then," chuckled Will, holding up his +machine. + +"A puncture, Frank?" demanded Jerry, who had been in the rear. + +"Not at all. I thought I heard some one shouting. Perhaps I was +mistaken, for with a lot of motors popping away it's hard to be sure. +Still, we can stop for a minute and listen," remarked Frank seriously. + +"Shouting--for help?" repeated Will, looking around nervously. + +"That's queer," cried Bluff, "that we seldom go out anywhere but what +somebody calls on us for assistance. Think of it! There was the town +bully, Andy Lasher, who was caught under that falling tree in the storm, +and rescued by Jerry." + +"That's a fact; and then there was Jed, the bound boy, you remember, +fellows," went on Will eagerly. + +"Not to mention the saving of the aeronaut from the burning hotel by +Frank, here; and last, but not least, our giving that little Joe the +glad hand down South," observed Jerry, joining in with enthusiasm. + +"Yes, but there are a few rescues you seem to forget, Jerry. How about +that time when the wild dogs had you chasing around the tree?" asked +Bluff, grinning. + +"Oh, that isn't in the same class. You forget that I got out of that +scrape by my own exertions," replied the other. + +"But there was another time when we hauled you out of a hollow tree in +which you found yourself caged. You didn't crawl out of there alone and +unaided, if I remember right," persisted Will. + +"Some things are better buried in oblivion. You and your camera want to +remind a fellow constantly of events that ought to be forgotten. But +Frank, that must have been an owl you heard. I haven't caught any call +for help yet." + +"Perhaps we'd better go on, then. Look out how you mount here, for it's +a hard proposition, Jerry, with these roots and stones." + +Frank had just started to move forward with his own motorcycle, when +all of them heard a sound issuing from the woods alongside the "tote" +road. + +"Help! help!" + +They looked at each other. + +"Somebody's in trouble there. Who can it be?" said Frank as he leaned +his machine up against a tree, as though eager to hasten to the +assistance of the one who had cried out. + +"No hunters around at this time of year," remarked Will as he followed +suit. + +"And the loggers have been gone some months," went on Bluff. + +"Tell me about that, now! It wasn't a child's voice, or I might think a +kid had got lost up here. Perhaps some man has cut himself badly with +his ax," suggested Jerry. + +"Or dropped down into some old abandoned mine shaft," spoke up Frank, +with a wink toward Will; for one of the chums had gone through with just +such an experience during one of their outings, and had to be rescued. + +"Shall we all go?" demanded Bluff, given to caution. + +"Why not? Nothing can happen to our machines here. For one, I decline to +stay out of the rescuing party. Besides, perhaps I may get a chance to +snap off a lovely picture of the Good Samaritans at work." + +Will had hastily unfastened his camera, and held it in his hands as he +spoke. + +"All right, then. Come on, boys!" + +With these words, Frank led the way into the woods. + +"Sure the sound came from this direction?" asked Bluff. + +"That was my impression. What do you say, Jerry?" and Frank turned to +the chum on whose knowledge of woodcraft he felt he could rely. + +"Straight in there. You're heading all right, Frank," he replied. + +"How far did it seem to be?" went on the leader. + +"That is hard to say. The man may have been weakened from loss of blood. +If he was shouting, then it may have been several hundred yards, perhaps +a quarter of a mile off; but I think we'll come across him closer than +that." + +"I agree with you, Jerry," said Frank, stopping short. + +"What did you hear?" demanded the other, for Frank had bent his head, +and seemed to be listening over his shoulder. + +"I don't know. Perhaps it was a bush springing back into place after our +passage. But suppose we shout occasionally? It may encourage the poor +fellow, and besides, guide us to where he lies," returned Frank, once +more pushing on. + +Accordingly they lifted up their voices and gave a series of calls. + +"Why doesn't he answer us?" asked Will, astonished when only the echoes +came back from the surrounding forest. + +Frank stopped in his tracks. + +"Can he have fainted from loss of blood?" said Bluff, still having in +mind a picture of a woodsman who had severed an artery by a misblow of +his ax. + +"There's Frank listening again, and he seems to be paying more attention +to our rear than ahead," remarked Will, puzzled. + +"I bet you he thinks somebody is playing us for a lot of fools; that +there isn't any one hurt, or in need of help at all. What's that?" + +The distinct and well-known "popping" of a motor was heard. + +"It's a trick, fellows! Somebody is meddling with our machines! Back to +the road!" shouted Jerry, turning and plunging through the under-brush +recklessly. + +A wild scramble followed. The four chums were so excited, and filled +with a determination to stop the unknown miscreants from making way +with their machines, that they gave little heed to their steps. The +consequence was that more than once a collision with a tree ensued, and +various bumps afterward gave mute evidence as to the reckless manner of +their chase. + +"There's two of 'em!" shrieked Will from the rear, as he caught the +sound of a second series of erratic poppings. + +Evidently those who were meddling with the motorcycles did not have a +thorough knowledge of how to work the same, for the sounds would +suddenly cease and then start up again. + +"Oh! don't I wish they'd just take headers over some nice fat root!" +gasped the perspiring Will, still hugging his precious camera to his +heart as he followed in Frank's wake. + +The latter had made for the road in as direct a line as possible. +Progress was bound to be slow through the dense undergrowth, and the +sooner they struck the open the quicker they could hope to gain on the +thieves. + +In this fashion they came upon the road at last. Of course, their eyes +immediately turned down its sinuous way to the quarter whence the +excitable popping sounds still continued to come. + +The sight that met their eyes amazed them. All of the chums had +naturally expected that they would discover some mischievous school +companions, who, seeing them coming, had hatched up this little game +with the intention of playing a practical joke. + +Nothing of the kind. On the contrary, they saw two of the motorcycles +bobbing along in the most erratic manner possible, moving from one side +of the rough road to the other, and mounted on the same were a couple of +roughly dressed men, either tramps, or journeymen on the road looking +for a job. + +"Tell me about that, will you!" gasped Jerry. + +"Why, the blooming idiots mean to steal our machines!" cried Bluff. + +"Oh! what luck that I thought to take my camera with me!" came from +Will. + +Frank only made one remark, but it was characteristic of the boy: + +"After them, fellows!" + +Then began a mad chase. Had the road been half-way decent, the boys +would have had no chance of overtaking the thieves; but those exposed +roots, while not bothersome to the lumbermen, proved extremely so to the +men who were trying to make off with the motorcycles. + +They dared not put on great speed. More than this, much of their time +was taken up with dodging the stones and other things that threatened to +bring sudden disaster upon them. + +Hence it was that the boys, having considerable sprinting ability, +began to rapidly overhaul the fleeing rascals. The two men dared not +cast a single glance behind, and consequently the only means they had of +knowing how close their pursuers might be would lie in any shouts given +by Frank and his chums. + +As he ran, the leading boy cast an occasional look alongside the path. +He was in search of a good stout cudgel. Knowing that the chances were +the affair would presently come to a face-to-face issue between the two +parties, he wished to be prepared as well as possible. + +"Bully stunt!" exclaimed Jerry as he followed suit. + +They were now drawing close upon the fugitives, who were having a +nerve-racking time dodging those numerous roots. + +Knowing that the angry owners of the wheels must be close upon them, the +men endeavored to increase their speed, with disastrous results. + +"Wow!" shouted Jerry, as he saw one of the riders suddenly shoot out of +his saddle and take a header, to be followed by his companion a second +later. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOMEWARD BOUND, BY MOONLIGHT + + +"Jump 'em!" shouted Frank as he threw himself upon the first fellow, +floundering in the road. + +"I'm on!" echoed Jerry, suiting the action to the words by propelling +himself straight at the second motorcycle thief. + +This fellow happened to have come through his fall without getting hurt. +The consequence was, he felt disposed to put up a much better fight than +his confused companion, upon whose prostrate form Frank had straddled. + +He rolled over once or twice with remarkable agility, causing Jerry to +miss his guess when he thought to drop on him. Then, scrambling to his +knees, the man, who turned out to be a rough-looking chap, indeed, +pulled something out of his pocket, which he aimed at the two boys about +to pounce upon him. + +"Keep back, you!" he roared, his mouth being half filled with dirt after +he had plowed up the earth of the roadway with his face. + +"He's got a pistol!" shrieked Will, who was fingering his camera +nervously from a point somewhat in the rear; and they immediately heard +the little suggestive click that announced the pressure of a finger on +the trigger. + +Bluff was the quick-witted one on this occasion. He had his stick +upraised at the time, ready to strike. Instead, he sent it from him +suddenly with all his power, and as the cudgel was no light one, when it +struck the extended arm of the kneeling thief the shock was so great +that the shining object he had been gripping was hurled about five feet +away. + +Jerry instantly took occasion to possess himself of the same. The man +was nursing his wounded arm and muttering to himself, his face screwed +up with pain. + +"Talk to me about your quick work! What could beat that, fellows?" cried +Jerry as he stood over the grunting and disgusted rascal who had +attempted to hold them off. + +"What had we better do with 'em?" asked Bluff, frowning at the several +scratches upon his machine caused by the accident. + +"Any damage done?" asked Frank. + +"Well, this man here has a sore arm, I guess; and the one you're sitting +on looks as if his face might be a map, from the scratches," replied +Jerry. + +"Oh! I mean the machines," laughed Frank. + +"Nothing serious here. How about yours, Will?" answered Bluff. + +"Mine seems to be all right. They weren't going fast enough to cause a +real wreck. A little paint will fix it up," was the answer Will made. + +"Do you know either of these fellows?" went on Frank. + +The boys took a better look at the men. + +"Why, the one with the scratched face is Hank Brady, I'm sure. He used +to live in Centerville. The other is a stranger to me," remarked Bluff. + +"Well, I've seen him before. He was working in the office of the town +paper as a tramp compositor a week ago. I suppose he got uneasy, and +wanted to be on the move again, and seeing a fine chance for hooking a +couple of motorcycles, they yielded to temptation. If we took them back +they'd be locked up for this little job," observed Frank sternly. + +"I hope you won't do anything of the kind, kids," said the fellow whose +arm had been stung by Bluff's stick. "We only wanted to have a lark with +you. Sure you don't think we'd be fools enough to run away with such +valuable things as them motorcycles, when the telephone would get us at +the next town? It was done for fun, but I reckon we paid the piper, all +right," and he scowled at Bluff as he spoke, nursing his arm as though +it were still painful. + +Frank laughed. He was not of a vindictive nature. Besides, it did seem +as though the two fellows had been punished enough already. + +"No matter, it was a mean trick, and you deserve all you got. Get up, +Hank. You took a lovely cropper that time. Where did you learn how to +run a motorcycle?" he asked, helping the prisoner to his feet. + +"I was a chauffeur a little time back. Sure we never thought to run off +with the gas-wheels. Saw you comin' along, and Flimsy said it would be a +good joke to make you fellers think somebody was sick in the woods. +Then, when we seen you all go by, I said to him, 'Let's run a couple of +them machines down the road a bit, just to tease the boys.' Flimsy he +rode one once in his travels, and so we jumped on. The rest is history, +and I got the map that goes along with it, on me face." + +"What say, boys? Shall we let it pass?" asked Frank, winking at his +chums. + +Jerry, for reply, started to fire the revolver he held, until the +entire six shots had been discharged. + +"Here! Take your gun, mister, and next time don't be so quick to pull it +on a stranger. Think what would happen to you if you'd fired and hit one +of us? Some time you may even be glad that Bluff, here, was so quick +with his stick." + +He handed the empty weapon over to the tramp printer, who let his head +fall, as though really ashamed of his action. + +The boys started back to where the other machines had been left, while +the two men slunk into the shelter of the woods, to patch up their hurts +as best they might. + +"Say! that was a queer ending to a rescue, wasn't it?" asked Bluff. + +"I only hope my picture comes out all right. It ought to show Frank +sitting on top of Hank, while Bluff and Jerry surround the other tramp, +who is on his knees, aiming his old gun. Then my machine is lying there. +Fellows, what need of words to explain what happened?" chuckled the +gratified Will. + +Whenever he succeeded in securing a coveted picture the ardent +photographer was the happiest boy in the county. His pleasure caused him +to fairly bubble over with good nature. + +"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, pretending to scorn such an +exhibition of joy over so trivial a matter. "Why, you'd think the chap +had knocked over some big game, to hear him chatter." + +"And so he had," declared Frank quickly, "according to his light. All of +us are not made alike, Jerry. One man's food is poison to another. You +and I are fond of fishing and shooting, but Will is more of an artist. +He delights in stalking the timid deer in the close season, and shooting +him with his camera. Lots of people believe his way of securing pleasure +beats ours all hollow." + +"Anyhow, it doesn't thin out the game," asserted Will stoutly. + +Jerry stopped short to turn a look of pity on his comrade. + +"Think how hungry we'd all go out in camp if we depended on your blessed +old box for supper," he suggested witheringly. + +"All very true," remarked Frank as they reached the other motorcycles, +and prepared to continue their interrupted journey to the camp of the +trapper; "which is proof of what I say, that many men, many minds. +There's room for all kinds in a party." + +"Yes; and nobody likes to look over my prints more than Jerry," grumbled +Will, feeling quite offended. + +"Don't pay any attention to him. He doesn't mean anything by it. You +know how he likes to joke every one. Now, we're off again, boys." + +Once more they made their way along the rough road. The sight of those +two unfortunates sprawling upon the ground was a lesson, warning the +riders against trying for speed under such conditions, so they made +haste slowly. + +Upon arriving at the cabin home of the trapper they surprised him very +much; and when Jesse Wilcox learned the object of their visit he was +more pleased than ever. + +They spent some hours with him, and even assisted in getting the evening +meal. From their long experience now the boys had become quite +proficient in this line, and were able to show old Jesse quite a few +tricks that delighted him. + +With the campfire blazing merrily, they ate supper alongside his rough +cabin home. Of course, they fairly deluged him with questions about the +habits of the big game of the West, which he answered to the best of his +ability. + +"Wait till we get out with Martin Mabie, fellows. He's on the ground, +and can set us straight. Jesse has been trapping these little animals +around here so long now he's a back number," joked Jerry, at which the +trapper laughed, for he was very fond of these four lads, and nothing +they said annoyed him. + +As they had planned, the run home was made by moonlight. This +necessitated that they walk with their machines until the good road was +gained, below the lumber camp. + +"I wonder whether those two tramps hit the high places, and got out of +this neighborhood for keeps?" Bluff was saying, after they had mounted +and were bowling along merrily toward town. + +"The chances are that way. That tramp printer must be a bad sort of +chap, it seems to me, and if Hank keeps along in his society I can see +his finish," answered Jerry over his shoulder. + +They had not made more than a mile when once more Frank gave a quick +toot of his horn that brought the little procession up in a hurry. + +"What ails us now?" demanded Bluff. + +"Frank's bending over something in the road, as sure as you live!" +called Will. + +"Tell me about that, will you! Seems as if our lively times haven't +stopped yet. It never rains but it pours, fellows. Hi! Frank, what's the +matter? Say! Would you believe it? There's a man lying in the road!" + +Jerry made haste to push his heavy motorcycle forward so as to reach the +side of his kneeling chum. + +"It's Hank Brady, boys, and he seems to be in a bad way. Something has +happened to him since we saw him last," said Frank, looking up. + +"Goodness gracious! Is he dead?" gasped Will, his eyes dilating in +horror. + +"I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out," replied Frank, bending +over so that he could press his ear upon the breast of the man in the +road. + +"And that tramp printer, where's he at?" asked Jerry suggestively. "Tell +me that, will you?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +STARTING HANK RIGHT + + +"He's alive, all right!" was the announcement of Frank presently. + +"I hear water close by. Hold on, and I'll get some," said Will hurrying +away. + +Even Jerry was desirous of helping as best he could. He took hold with +Frank, and the insensible Hank was carried alongside the road, to where +some grass grew, and offered a softer resting place. + +Had it been a friend who was thus in need of succor, they could hardly +have shown more energy in attending to his wants. + +"He's coming to," said Bluff after Frank had sprinkled the scratched +face with some of the cold water. + +There was a deep sigh, then Frank saw that the fellow's eyes had opened, +and were surveying him with a troubled stare. + +"Feeling better, Hank?" he asked quietly. + +"Oh, I'm all right, I reckon. What brought you fellows here? Where am +I, anyhow? Did I just drop off that motorcycle? No. I remember, now. +Flimsy took the last cent I had while I lay in the road. The meanest +skunk I ever met up with. If ever he crosses my path again I'll get even +with the cur," he growled, sitting up and holding a hand to his head. + +"What happened to you, Hank? Why were you lying in the road? Did you +have a fight with that tramp printer?" asked Frank, suspecting the +truth. + +"Yes. I told him I was sick of keeping with him. He's a bad one, and +some fine day he'll land in the stone jug. He scared me the way he +talked. I started to tramp back home, and he kept nagging me all the way +here. In the end he made me so mad I just tackled him. That was what he +wanted. Why, he put me to sleep the easiest way you ever saw. I just +remember him fumbling in my pockets before he hoofed it." + +"Well, it was a lucky thing for you, Hank, after all. If you'd kept with +that rascal you'd soon have been just like him. Did you say you meant to +go back home now?" + +"That's what I meant to do, but he's fixed it so I can't," muttered the +other, grinding his teeth in fury. + +"How's that?" pursued Frank, believing there must be a story back of +his words. + +"He took the ten dollars I stole from my dad. I won't never dare face +him and say I lost it. I thought I could put it back in the bureau +drawer, and he'd never know. I'll have to foller that Flimsy, and make +him give it back." + +"You can't do that for he'd only laugh at you, and perhaps beat you +again." + +"The thief ought to be arrested," grumbled Bluff indignantly. + +"That would blow the whole thing, you see, and dad he'd know I grabbed +it. I'm gettin' all I ought to have, I reckon. P'raps I might earn that +ten some way, and hand it over. If I could only get another job as +chauffeur it'd be all right," Hank Brady was mumbling to himself +dejectedly. + +"Perhaps you can," said Frank quickly. "I remember, now, that our man +had to go away suddenly the day before yesterday. Look here, Hank! Do +you really mean to do the right thing now? Have you had your lesson +pounded into you?" + +"I sure have. Never again for me, I give you my word. I guess my folks +has been worried some on my account, but they don't need to any more. +I've reformed, I have. I'm goin' to walk a straight line after this." + +The fellow spoke as though he meant it, and Frank believed he could +detect the ring of sincerity in his voice. + +"All right. Shake hands on that, Hank. Don't you forget it, that you'll +find plenty of fellows willing to give you a lift, just as quickly as +some others want to give you a drag down. It all depends on where the +other chap is standing himself. You come and see me to-morrow, some +time. I'm Frank Langdon, and my father is the president of the First +National Bank." + +"This is mighty white of you, fellers," muttered the other, apparently +ashamed. + +"You can never pay it back to us, Hank, but some time pass it along; +hold out a helping hand to some other poor chap in trouble. I guess if +you know how to run a car decently you will get the job, if I speak to +my dad. Now, another thing--that ten dollars you wanted to put back, was +it in one bill?" + +"Two fives," replied Hank, catching his breath. + +"Then perhaps we can fix it up. I've got one here. Jerry, can you help +me out?" asked Frank, who believed in doing the whole thing, once he +started. + +"Just happen to have it, by good luck," replied the other cheerfully. + +"Say! that's too much, fellers--an' after I played that mean trick, +too!" + +"Don't worry about that. I'm not giving you this, Hank, only loaning it +to you. You can pay it back out of your first month's salary. Here you +are, and don't think for a minute that you're getting the best of all +this. We're enjoying it, in our own way, more than you ever can. See you +to-morrow, then. Good-night, Hank!" + +They left the fellow standing there, quite dumb. He had tried to answer +them as they rode off, but not a sound could he utter. + +"Talk to me about the queer things that crop up with us, will you!" +laughed Jerry as he kept close at Frank's heels. "Did you ever really +hear the equal of that, now?" + +"Oh, it's an old story. The only decent thing about it is the fact that +of his own free will Hank was breaking away from his evil associations +and heading back home, when he met with this last trouble. I say, +Bluff!" + +"Hello, Frank! What is it?" came from the rear, where the party +addressed was following in the wake of his chums. + +"How about Hank? Do you know if he ever played chauffeur half-way +decent? I'd hate to risk the pater's neck with a greenhorn." + +"Come to think of it, he used to run old Cragin's car for quite some +time. Had an accident, and was discharged; but some people said Hank +wasn't to blame; that it came about because the old man was too stingy +to buy the right kind of tires, and always picked up job lots." + +"Glad to hear it. He won't have that fault to find with the governor. +Well, here we separate, fellows. To-morrow morning, at the boathouse, +about eight, to lay our plans and arrange for the trip to the city." + +With a cheery good-night the chums separated, and each headed for his +home. + +In the morning they once more came together, and for some hours there +was an earnest talk, during which many ideas were put forward, and order +gradually took the place of chaos. + +A knock at the door took Frank thither, for he suspected who the visitor +might prove to be, as he had left word at home to send Hank Brady there, +if he called. Hank was now decently dressed, and his face did not look +so very bad, though it bore a number of scratches. + +"All right, Hank. I'm going with you to the bank. My father knows all +about it, for I thought it best to start square, so that you need not +fear about his finding out anything about your past," he said, shaking +hands with the other. + +"And he don't give me the shake on that account?" asked Hank eagerly. + +"Of course he doesn't. He even said that what we did was right, and that +he could look back to a day in his boyhood when a kind word started him +along the straight and narrow path. My dad's the right sort, Hank. Serve +him decently, and you'll never want a better friend. But at the same +time he hates deceit, and will not put up with a sneak. You've got the +chance of your life to make good." + +"And I'm going to make good, all right, or bust tryin'. I'll never get +over the white way you fellers acted with me, never, if I live a hundred +years!" said Hank in a broken voice. + +Frank took him over to the bank, where Mr. Langdon was favorably +impressed with his looks, and engaged him, after he had learned what he +knew about the running of a car. Hank had worked in a garage for a year, +and this knowledge was invaluable to him in his business as a chauffeur. + +That afternoon Frank and Bluff started for the city, with a list of +things they believed should be purchased before they went forth upon +their journey. Bluff had in mind a wonderful hunting-knife, with an +ivory handle, a picture of which he had seen in the catalogue of a +sporting goods house, and he was secretly determined to possess such a +magnificent tool. + +"The time might come when a fellow would have only his trusty blade +between himself and death, and then you just bet he wants a good one. +Think of a big grizzly trying to hug you! Where would your little knife +be, then? You'd soon wish you had that Cuban machete that hangs on the +wall of your father's den, Frank," he said, when the other expostulated +with him about purchasing such a murderous-looking weapon. + +And Bluff did buy it, too. All the way home he kept tabs on that +package, and often, when Frank was not looking, he would go through +certain gestures with it gripped in his hand, as though practicing +against that day when the aforesaid grizzly and he would have their +little heated argument for supremacy. + +Jerry, too, either felt shocked at the enormous size of the wonderful +hunting-knife, or else pretended to be. He shrugged his shoulders in +that scornful way he had, and turned his back on the prize Bluff had +drawn. + +"What else could you expect of a man who goes after quail with a Gatling +gun? Why, the poor innocent grizzly will faint dead away at sight of +that cavalry sword. It gives me a cold chill just to look at it," he +observed. + +Bluff only laughed. + +"Rank envy eating up your soul, that's all, my boy. Wait till you see me +in action with that razor-edged tool. I'll have you all turning green +with envy yet," he said, fondling the ivory-handled weapon ere he thrust +it back into its sheath. + +The days dragged along. Will counted them, and each night heaved a sigh +of relief that they were a notch nearer the time of departure. Finally +the last night arrived, and their coming tour was to be marked by a +little gathering at the home of Frank, which was intended to be in the +way of a send-off. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WESTWARD BOUND + + +There were just eight people gathered together that evening to have a +good time. Besides Nellie Langdon, of course, Will's twin sister, +Violet, graced the occasion with her presence; then there came Mame +Crosby, the vivacious girl with the auburn locks, who was so fond of +teasing Jerry; and last, but not least, pretty Susie Prescott, a dainty, +prim little blonde, whom Will considered a bundle of sweetness. + +What a splendid time this congenial little company had! For many a day +the memory of it would follow the four chums while far away. + +All of the "material of war," as Mame called it, had been brought to +Frank's house, so that it might be packed in one big trunk. Thus the +boys would be bothered with only a suitcase and a gun apiece in the long +journey across the continent. + +The girls insisted upon being shown the wonderful aggregation of +clothing and weapons. It was to them very much like a shopping +expedition, and many were the exclamations of awe and curiosity as they +looked upon the exhibition. + +Bluff, of course, was very proud of that wonderful hunting-knife of his. +He even smiled to see the perceptible shudder with which Nellie surveyed +him as he cut imaginary circles in the air with the keen-edged weapon. + +"Oh! I hope you won't have to use it very often, Bluff! It makes me +shiver just to think of you meeting one of those fierce grizzly bears, +such as I have seen in the menagerie," she said confidentially to him. + +"But you wouldn't have me leave this jewel at home, would you, Nellie?" +he asked in dismay. + +"Oh, no! Not for the world!--since you say that perhaps your very life +may depend on having it; but please, Bluff, be very careful. You might +cut yourself by accident, you know, and then--well, your mother and +father would grieve so much if anything happened to you." + +"Well, would you care?" asked Bluff boldly. + +Nellie gave him an arch look and ran down-stairs, as she said that she +was needed just then to superintend the placing of the refreshments on +the table. Bluff laid the wonderful hunting-knife, sheath and all, back +on the stand where his things were gathered, and smiled as if pleased. +He had occasion, later on, to recall each little incident of that +evening, when worrying his mind over a most mysterious thing that +puzzled him. + +The little company separated about eleven, for the boys expected to +leave home long ere noon on the following day, and had a strenuous +journey before them. + +After an early breakfast they gathered at Frank's, where the last +packing was done in hot haste, as the time was short. So it happened +that none of them had more than a confused idea of what was done during +that last hour, save that, some way or other, their things were crammed +into the big trunk. + +"We should have taken two, hang it!" grunted Bluff as he tugged at the +metal catches, while a couple of his mates sat on top to induce the lid +to come down. + +"There! It's all right now!" cried Will, as the click of the catch +announced the desired union. + +So the trunk was snatched up by the waiting men and carried off, to be +taken to the station. Frank and his chums quickly followed. Quite a +gathering of relatives and friends were on hand to see them off. + +Frank was taking a last look into the automobile, to make sure nothing +had been forgotten, when Hank Brady, who seemed to be making good with +his job, plucked at his sleeve. + +"Hello! Came near forgetting to say good-by to you, Hank! Hope you get +on fine and dandy while I'm gone," said the boy, holding out his hand. + +"Thank you, Mr. Frank; but I only wanted to say a few words to you about +a brother of mine who is out there somewhere, we believe. Now, I know +the Northwest is a big place, and you might as well think of lookin' for +a needle in a haystack as for a certain feller there; but accidents do +happen, and by some sorter luck you might just happen to run across +Teddy," said Hank quickly, and with a wistful look on his face that held +Frank's attention. + +"And if I do, what then?" he asked softly. + +"Tell him his mother's still a-grievin' after him. You see, he is her +baby, though a big feller for his age, which is seventeen about. He left +us in a huff two years back. We heard in an indirect way several times, +but never straight. She worries when she thinks nobody is a-lookin'. If +Teddy would only write to her I think she'd be kinder reconciled," went +on Hank, heaving a deep sigh. + +"All right. If by any good luck I happen to run across your brother, you +can depend on it I'll do my best to make him write. But how am I to +know him among the thousands of people I meet?" remarked Frank as he was +about to turn away. + +"Well, he has--" + +Just then some one pounced on Frank, and dragged him off, so that he +never really knew how he was to recognize this wandering brother of Hank +Brady in case he should meet him. + +The train was almost due, and general good-bys were quickly said. Such a +chattering as ensued, which kept up until the four chums climbed into +the car that was to take them to the nearest city, where they would +board the through train for the Northwest. + +After the last glimpse of their loved ones had been lost by a sudden +bend in the road, they settled down to making themselves comfortable. It +was expected that they would make connection in St. Paul with the +western through train bound for Seattle. Then would begin the grandest +ride on the whole American continent, over boundless plains, and finally +up into the majestic mountains. + +Day and night they would be carried swiftly onward across the many miles +of entrancing scenery. Wonderful sights would fall to their portion. + +St. Paul was reached in due season, and once more they started forth, +this time headed west, with the hunting-land beckoning them on. + +"Tell me about this, will you!" remarked Jerry, after they had crossed +the broad prairies and were climbing the tremendous heights that lie +like a barrier between the center of the continent and the Pacific +Slope. "How much more of it do we have before us, Frank? I'm getting so +filled with wonder and awe that my tongue is getting into a rut with +saying 'Ah!' so much." + +"Less than a day will see us through now. Once we get over this range +there lies a long valley, and in that is where Martin Mabie has his +ranch." + +"Then we'll do our hunting along the sides of the mountains?" suggested +Will, who had used up nearly half his supply of films already, taking +views of the wonderful things they saw on the trip. + +"That's my impression, from what he wrote," replied Frank. + +"And he also said game was fairly plentiful, if I remember aright," +remarked Jerry. + +"Well, he did say that they had been so busy of late on the ranch that +no one had had time for hunting, and consequently the game had not been +bothered very much; which, I suppose, amounts to the same thing." + +"H'm! I hope he won't be so rushed with work that he can't take the time +to go with us. Half of the fun would be lost if Mr. Mabie couldn't be +along; for Jesse says he is the most entertaining man alive," grunted +Bluff. + +"Oh, you forget that he said by the time we got there the work would +slacken up, and he promised himself a vacation, just to renew his old +pleasure of camping out in the wilderness, away from all mankind," +laughed Frank. + +"That relieves my mind some," declared Bluff, brightening up. + +"You're getting tired of all this travel, that's what ails you," said +Jerry. + +"No; it isn't that," remarked Frank. "Bluff has confessed to me that for +the life of him he can't remember putting that beautiful hunting-knife +in the trunk along with his other traps; and if he left _that_ behind, +half his pleasure would be lost. Now you know what's the matter." + +"Not that I wish it to be so, but if such should prove to be the case, +there'll be one delighted grizzly bear out in these same mountains--the +chap Bluff calculated on carving with that big sticker," remarked Jerry +jocosely. + +But Bluff would not even smile. Truth to tell, he was counting the +hours until he could open that trunk and relieve his distressed mind. + +"Did you ever see a wilder bit of country?" said Frank, peering out into +the gathering dusk, and trying to imagine those wooded hillsides +populated with elk and buffaloes, and all the big game of the past, when +a white man was never known west of the Great Lakes. + +"Well, to tell the truth, I was thinking of that account I read in the +paper we bought, about the work of a sheriff's posse in this region, +chasing the bad men who held up a railroad train not a hundred miles +away from here. It wouldn't be a pleasant experience for us to meet +with, eh, fellows?" asked Will, who was known to have a timid streak in +his make-up. + +"Talk to me about your croakers!" jeered Jerry. "Will, here, is enough +to freeze the marrow in one's bones. There isn't one chance in a +thousand that such an adventure will come our way, and he knows it." + +"Goodness! What a jar! The engineer must have thrown the air brakes on +then in a big hurry! We're coming to a sudden stop, too! Oh! I wonder if +anything can have happened? Are we going to have an accident, fellows?" +cried Will. + +With much creaking of the wheels the heavy train came to a stop, and at +the same moment the four chums, listening with considerable +apprehension, caught the sound of many loud and excited voices just +outside the car. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AT THE VALLEY RANCH + + +"Listen!" exclaimed Frank, holding up his hand. + +"Talk to me about your Tower of Babel! It wasn't in the same class as +that row. Twenty men trying to talk all at once!" growled Jerry, +starting up. + +"Oh! Where are you going?" asked Will. + +"Outside, to find out what the trouble is," replied the other. + +"But you may get hurt if those bad men start to shooting up the train," +expostulated the official photographer anxiously. + +Jerry gave a hoarse laugh. + +"Tell me about that, will you! He actually believes we are going to be +put through a course of 'stand and deliver' by the merry gentlemen of +the road. Why, bless you, my boy, didn't you hear one man say something +about a trestle burning just ahead? It spells delay for us, but that's +the worst of the whole affair." + +"Then I'm going out, too," declared Will, with sudden zeal, as he +snatched up his camera and threw the strap over his shoulder. + +He scented a chance for a striking picture, and to obtain that Will +would have risked even a possible encounter with train robbers. + +Frank and Bluff would not be left behind, and quickly the entire quartet +had reached the platform. They found that the stop was at a little +country station. A signal had suddenly flashed before the eyes of the +engineer, telling him he must not think of running past, which accounted +for the quick work of the compressed-air brakes. + +No need to tell what was wrong. Up the track a quarter of a mile could +be seen a fire, and one glance was enough to tell the chums that, just +as Jerry had said, a trestle of some sort seemed to be burning. + +Loud shouts attested to the fact that every available man was hurrying +to the scene, in the hope of saving the trestle before it was so far +gone that nothing could be done. + +"Come on, fellows! Our train must stay where it is until this thing is +done burning, one way or the other. Perhaps we can help put the fire out +with buckets." + +That was the first thought Frank had, to be of some assistance. + +The four of them ran with the rest of the passengers. Such a spectacle +could not be witnessed every day, and every one was desirous of getting +closer to the scene of action. + +"How did it catch?" asked Frank of a railroad man who was hustling +about, handing buckets to a line of men extending down to the water of +the creek far below. + +"Don't know. Perhaps from sparks left by the six-seventeen freight. Lend +a hand here, lads; we need all the help we can get," replied the other. + +"Sure! That's what we came for. Get along, boys, and pass these +buckets!" cried Jerry, suiting the action to the words. + +Once the string of buckets got to going, and the contents began to be +cast upon the creeping flames, there sprang up a hope that the trestle +might be saved. + +Seeing this, the workers redoubled their efforts, and faster rose the +full buckets, the empties going down at the same rate. It is really +astonishing what a large amount of water can be carried by such an +endless chain. + +"Hurrah! We're besting it, lads! Keep it up!" shouted the agent, who +was the man Frank had first addressed. + +Will had not joined the relay. There seemed to be plenty of recruits +without him, and, truth to tell, he was bent on getting a picture of the +scene. Doubtless many present were startled by a sudden brilliant +illumination as he set off his flashlight cartridge; but those who were +in ignorance as to what it meant were soon set wise by others. + +Once they began to get the upper hand of the fire it became easy. +Fortunately, there was not a breath of wind at the time. Had it been +otherwise, no efforts on their part could have saved the trestle. + +"I should think they would have them all of steel!" gasped Bluff, as he +labored away, passing endless buckets up and down. + +"Most of them are, I understand, but in this case, you see, it is a long +stretch, and perhaps it wasn't thought necessary," replied Frank. + +"We're going to save it, all right; but I wonder if our train dare pass +over? It seems to me the fire must have weakened the structure more or +less," remarked Jerry. + +"Oh, well, they'll find some means of strengthening it in that case. I'm +only worrying about the delay. Mr. Mabie will have to wait so long." + +"But, Frank, they must wire the news, and he will know the reason for +our hold-up," said Will quickly, and the others all agreed that this +must be so. + +Less than an hour later the last spark had been extinguished. Then men +climbed all over the trestle to ascertain just how much it had been +weakened by the fire. + +There was a difference of opinion among them, some declaring that it was +as good as ever, and the others shaking their heads solemnly, as they +prophesied all manner of dire things if the through train, with its +heavy sleepers, attempted to go over. + +While some gangs of men were hastily bracing up a weak spot with what +material lay close at hand, kept for an emergency of this sort, a +freight train that happened to be on a siding at the station, was pushed +out on the trestle to discover how the situation stood. + +The chums watched operations with their hearts in their mouths, +figuratively speaking; but no catastrophe followed, and it began to +appear that, after all, the express might pass over in safety. + +Another trial was given, this time with the heavy freight engine +attached to some of the largest flats, laden with steel beams. The +trestle bore the strain handsomely. + +"That settles it, fellows. Back to our car for us. We're going across!" +sang out Jerry as he turned and made off down the track. + +"How long were we here?" asked Bluff, sighing, and they knew he was +thinking again of the weary hours that must elapse ere he could open +that big trunk in order to ascertain whether his fears in connection +with that beloved hunting-knife had any foundation or not. + +"Three hours, about. Give them another half hour to get moving, and +there you are. Hark! The engineer has started to whistle. That is to +tell the passengers a start is intended; and here they come, rushing +pell-mell, fearful of getting left." And Frank laughed at the energy +displayed by some of those who had been aboard. + +It was a critical time when the train slowly pushed out upon the long +trestle. Everybody doubtless held their breath, and doubtless many a +heart throbbed with suspense. + +"It's all right, boys! We're safely over!" exclaimed Jerry, as, looking +out of the open window, he could see that they had passed the critical +stage. + +"Oh! I'm so glad! I don't know when I've felt such a flutter about my +heart. But, anyway, I secured a cracking good snapshot of that burning +bridge. Every time we look at it we can remember our hold-up," observed +Will, sighing with relief. + +It was now about ten o'clock at night, and on account of the delay, +travel was more or less congested along the line. + +Frank, upon making inquiries, learned that they would not arrive at +their destination until about daybreak, and so he and his chums went to +their berths to secure what sleep was possible. + +Frank had them up in good time, and long before dawn they were fully +dressed, awaiting the arrival of the train at the valley station with +impatience. + +"Another hour now, and then I shall know," Bluff was saying to himself. + +"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Jerry, who happened to overhear him. "And +for the peace of the party, I do hope the first thing you see when you +open your bag will be that awful sword." + +"We're stopping, fellows!" cried Will, trembling with eagerness. + +Five minutes later they jumped down from the train. + +"Hello, boys! Glad to see you! Better late than never!" said a hearty +voice, and then they found themselves shaking hands with a big man, +whose gray-bearded face seemed to be a picture of good nature. + +Of course, this was Mr. Mabie, the ranchman. He saw to it that their big +trunk was dropped off the baggage car, to be seized by a couple of +cowboys and hustled on to the back of a long buckboard wagon, drawn by a +couple of skittish horses. + +Then they were off, not five minutes after the train had pulled out. + +"Here, Reddy," said Mr. Mabie to the young driver, "let me make you +acquainted with some good fellows about your own age," and he introduced +them one after another. + +Frank saw that the cowboy was well named, for he had quite a fiery +thatch; but his freckled face seemed one of the sort that invited +confidence, and Frank believed he would like the other right well. Of +course, Reddy was attired as all well-ordered cowboys should be. Will +was secretly wild for a chance to introduce him in some picture. + +"It will give such a pleasing variety to our book of views, for we +haven't got a single cowboy in between the covers," he said in an aside +to Frank. + +They followed up the valley for over an hour. The ranch was miles +removed from the railway, and surrounded by the wildest scenery the +boys could remember having looked upon, and that was saying a good deal, +after such a journey. + +Martin Mabie was a widower, without any family. Still, he had a number +of women folks on the place, a sister keeping house for him, with a +Chinese cook to attend to the kitchen part of the establishment. + +"Ain't this immense?" remarked Bluff, as he waited impatiently for the +men to carry the big trunk indoors, so that he could satisfy his soul +about the one object that had been worrying him ever since leaving +Centerville. + +Somehow or other they seemed slow about doing this. The horses had to be +attended to first of all. Then there seemed to be some sort of +excitement in the neighborhood of the corral, for the boys noticed a +mounted cowboy come dashing up and jump from his steed, which was +blowing hard, as if from a rapid dash. + +He wondered if this sort of thing was of daily occurrence on the big +ranch, which took in the whole valley for miles, and extended even up +along the sides of the mountains on either hand. + +"What ails the fellow, I wonder?" observed Jerry, who, it seems, had +also noticed the rush of the newcomer. + +"From the way he bolted into the office where Mr. Mabie went, I imagine +he must have brought important news of some sort," remarked Frank. + +"Perhaps our very introduction to the Big M Ranch is going to be in a +whirl of excitement, fellows. I've noticed that somehow we seem to stir +up things wherever we go; not that we mean to have things happen, but +they just pick out such a time to play hob," said Jerry, shaking his +head as if thoroughly convinced. + +"Here comes Mr. Mabie, hurrying this way!" declared Bluff, beginning to +forget his other anxiety for the time being in this new mystery. + +"And there goes the cowboy back to the horse corral. He's shouting +something, too, and as sure as you live every man is jumping to get a +horse handy between his legs. Look at them slapping saddles on! Why, +they'll be off like the wind! Boys, something is up! I know it!" + +Frank and his chums saw several cowboys dash away as though possessed, +shouting, and waving their hats in a reckless manner, as if about to +charge an enemy who had designs on the cattle of the ranch. + +"Whatever can it mean?" said Will again. + +"For the life of me I can't imagine," returned Frank, sorely puzzled. + +"But we'll soon know, fellows, for here comes Mr. Mabie, and he's +swinging his hat as though just as excited as the balance of the crowd. +Whatever it is, he means to tell us!" cried Jerry, his eyes glowing with +the nerve-racking anxiety. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE GRIZZLY AT BAY + + +"Boys, do you want to see some fun?" called the ranchman as he came up. + +"Always ready for that sort of thing, sir. What's going on?" asked +Frank. + +"An old friend of ours, whom we call 'Mountain Charlie,' has broken +bounds at last, and is even now trying to drag one of my best yearlings +off to the mountain canyon where he has his den," replied the other. + +"Mountain Charlie?" repeated Frank, mystified. + +"And has a den in the mountains, too! What sort of a beast is that? Or +can it be a wild man?" asked Bluff. + +The ranchman laughed heartily. + +"I forgot you were tenderfeet, boys. We call a grizzly by that name out +here. This fellow we have known for some time. Hunting him has never +proven a profitable business, and, as a rule, he has never before come +so far out in the open; but hunger tempted the old chap, and the man who +galloped in told me he was even then dragging the yearling he had killed +in the direction of the hills." + +"Oh! if we could only get there in time to see them shoot him!" +exclaimed Will, hitching his camera a little closer to his body. + +"That's just what you're going to see. I sent word that he was not to be +hurt until we arrived. Horses are being hitched up for us all. I suppose +you can ride, boys?" inquired the owner of the ranch. + +"To a certain extent, though I suppose your cowboys will think us pretty +punky at it," answered Jerry. + +"But we mean to learn everything we can while here," piped up Bluff +earnestly. + +"Good for you! These horses are only old plugs, however, so there's no +fear of them running away with you; and here they come." + +Several cowboys came toward them, each leading a number of horses. Frank +thought that for "old plugs," the four intended for himself and chums +possessed considerable of the fire that had animated them in other +years. + +"Up you go, boys. Take your pick. Then we're off." + +Each seized upon the nearest animal, and, making use of the stirrup, +threw himself into the saddle. As Jerry had said, all of them had +frequently ridden at home, and indeed considered that they knew as much +about a saddle as the average boy of the East; but that amounted to very +little out here, where every one almost lived upon the back of a +broncho. + +"Wow! But this is going some!" said Jerry as the whole group dashed +madly up the valley. + +"I only hope I don't lose my camera in the rush," came from Will, who +was having troubles of his own in the rear. + +"Look ahead, fellows! You can see what's going on, now!" called Frank, +who kept alongside the ranchman in the lead. + +"Why, there's the bear, as sure as you live!" Bluff gasped. + +"But what's he trying to do? First he rushes one way, and then turns +around to make a bolt at the other side. He must be getting rattled." + +"Don't you see, Jerry, they've got him lassoed? He wants to tackle any +one of those three cowboys, but he just can't, with as many ropes +pulling him in three directions." + +"Talk to me about that, will you, Frank!" cried Jerry. "I never expected +to see a grizzly bear held up in a rope like a steer. Look at the game +little ponies on their haunches, and holding like fun. They seem +somewhat scared, too, pard. Between you and me, I don't blame 'em a bit. +I'd hate to think that big beast was aiming to get a grip on me." + +It was just as Jerry said. The cowboys had headed the grizzly off so +that he was unable to gain the safety of the wild mountain gorges. +Doubtless he had been loth to leave his prey at the approach of the +riders, and this had contributed to his final undoing. + +One after another three of them had dropped their ropes over the head of +the grizzly as he reared himself on his hind legs. The lariats stretched +like piano wires under the strain, and as the cowboys had taken up +positions in a sort of triangle they could keep the bear from making any +sort of rush. + +"Watch and see the fun," said Mr. Mabie, who had made sure to fetch his +rifle along when coming from the ranch house; but he did not seem in any +hurry to utilize the same. + +Will, of course, immediately made good use of his camera. + +Meanwhile, wilder grew the exertions of the trapped grizzly. He was +snarling with rage. The foam gathered about his mouth, and Frank +shuddered as he saw the cruel teeth, not to speak of the long, deadly +and poisonous claws. + +"Hey, Bluff! If you only had that gentle little knife of yours handy, +now would be a fine chance to rush in and have a tussle with that meek +grizzly! You know you told us all just how you meant to slay the +jabbercock with one straight blow." + +Bluff did not make any verbal reply to this unkind thrust on the part of +Jerry, but Frank, looking at him, saw that his face was deadly pale, and +that he was staring at the terrible monster with whom the reckless +cowboys were playing as a cat does with a mouse. He knew Bluff was +feeling a chill at the thought of such a tragedy happening as his having +an encounter with a beast like that. + +"What if the ropes should break?" asked Frank as the captive made a more +ferocious rush than usual, and the pony on the other side was dragged +several feet. + +"Then there would be somewhat of a mix-up, and a case of every man for +himself. They'd expect me to show that I hadn't altogether forgotten my +craft in connection with handling a rifle. Once I used to be a crack +shot, but lack of experience plays hob with a man's nerves," replied +Mr. Mabie, as he sat upon his steed and played with the repeating rifle +he held. + +"I see you are enjoying the situation, boys. Would one of you like to +wind him up?" and the ranchman turned to Frank. + +"I don't believe I would, sir," laughed that worthy. + +"How about you, Jerry?" + +"I've often dreamed of shooting such game, but excuse me, Mr. Mabie, it +would be too much like the butcher business to please me," observed the +other. + +At this the stockman laughed. + +"Oh, I can understand that principle of honor in a true sportsman, my +lad, and I must say it does you credit; but when you come to know +grizzlies better, and appreciate their terrible strength, you'll agree +with the rest of us that a man has to forget such things when he gets a +chance to puncture the hide of so fierce a monster as this old rogue. He +could kill a horse with a single blow, or tear one into shreds with +those claws. If I can get my mount to go a little closer, I'll try to +wind him up with a single ball, but it's difficult to shoot from the +back of a nervous pony." + +He began to speak to his steed, which was striking the turf with its +hoofs, and champing at the bit, as if terrified at such close proximity +to, an animal so greatly to be dreaded. + +Then suddenly there was a wild shout from the cowboys, and Frank, +looking, saw one of them whirling his horse in wild flight, and dashing +toward the group. He seemed to guess instinctively what had +happened--the rope of the opposite rider must have broken under the +tremendous strain. This really left the grizzly free, and, filled with +mad rage, he was galloping straight toward them! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +BLUFF MISSES SOMETHING + + +"Look out there!" shouted one of the cowboys. + +"Run, boys!" exclaimed Frank as he started to turn his pony around so as +to get beyond reach of the rapidly advancing bear. + +He had just succeeded in doing this, and even started to gallop away, +when he saw a sight that almost froze the blood in his veins. + +Jerry had, of course, intended doing a similar vamoosing stunt. It +happened, however, that his horse was more frightened than those of the +others. When he jerked at the bridle the beast whirled with such a +vicious fling that the boy, totally unprepared for such a move, and +unable to get the grip with his knees that a cowboy always secures, went +toppling over his head. + +Frank, looking over his shoulder as he was borne rapidly away by his own +alarmed steed, saw Jerry scramble to his knees. At any rate, he thought +with relief, the other had escaped a broken neck in his ugly tumble. + +Still, with that enraged grizzly bearing swiftly down upon him, in +spite of the one rope that still held taut, the position of poor Jerry +was not the most pleasant in the world. + +Frank's first and only inspiration was to turn his horse around and rush +back to the assistance of his chum. It never occurred to him that being +without his own rifle, he would only be adding to the trouble by +offering Bruin a double sacrifice. + +His pony, however, offered serious objections to facing that roaring +hurricane of a beast. Despite Frank's most strenuous efforts, he could +only twist the animal's head around, but not a step would the frightened +beast approach. Dancing there, he snorted his distrust and alarm. + +But Frank plucked up new hope. He at the same time saw something else +that gave another aspect to the case. Jerry was not to be left alone to +his fate. + +"Hurrah for Mr. Mabie!" + +In his excitement Frank let out this shout. It was caused by seeing the +ranchman leap from the back of his own horse and rapidly run back toward +the spot where Jerry crouched, apparently too winded to get to his feet +and try flight. + +Now Mr. Mabie had reached the boy, and the barrier of his heavy +repeating rifle would be between Jerry and the grizzly. Frank expected +to see the stockman drop on one knee and take aim at the bear, now very +close to the two dismounted ones. Nothing of the kind occurred. On the +contrary, he saw Mr. Mabie thrust the rifle into the hands of the boy, +who seemed to seize it eagerly. + +Jerry had declined to shoot the grizzly when the beast was held by a +cordon of riatas. The conditions were now considerably altered, for the +huge animal was rapidly bearing down upon him, with the fire of +destruction in his small, blazing eyes. It was a case of bringing his +advance to a speedy stop, or suffering the consequences. + +Frank's heart thrilled with pride as he saw his chum throw the rifle up +to his shoulder and glance along the glistening barrel. Mr. Mabie had +shown wonderful confidence in the boy's nerve to thus place the solution +of the problem in Jerry's hands. + +Holding his breath, as he still tugged at the mouth of his refractory +mount, Frank saw the smoke shoot out from the muzzle of the gun as the +report sounded. + +"Whoop! He's down!" shrieked a cowboy curveting near by. + +"Take care! He's coming again, Jerry!" shouted Frank. + +The bear had rolled over at the shot, but being one of the toughest +animals in the world, he had immediately gained his feet again, and was +once more advancing. + +But Jerry knew what to do, even though he had never met quarry of this +caliber before. He pumped another cartridge into the chamber, +deliberately took aim, with apparently little show of excitement, and +fired again. + +Once more the grizzly stumbled and fell. When he tried to get up again +he did not seem equal to the effort. + +Mr. Mabie was shaking the hand of the young Nimrod with great +enthusiasm. Perhaps he had purposely tried the nerve of Jerry, to find +out what manner of boys these were, of whom old Jesse Wilcox spoke so +well. + +Now that the monster was dead, the ponies consented to draw somewhat +closer; but the boys had to dismount, and hand over their steeds to a +cowman when they wished to reach the spot where the victim of the hunt +lay. + +Will, with his camera, was, of course, in evidence. + +"I wouldn't have missed that for a cookie!" he declared. "And if that +frightened horse had only allowed me to take a crack at the time the old +hermit toppled over, I'd be ever so much happier." + +Frank, remembering how the other had been forced to clasp his arms +around the neck of his frantic steed at the time, smiled at the +impossibility of such a thing coming about. + +"Give us a grip of your paw, old fellow!" cried Bluff, rushing up, +brimming over with enthusiasm and admiration. "I'll sure never forget +that sight! And he did the Rod, Gun and Camera Club proud when he used +your weapon, didn't he, Mr. Mabie?" + +"I knew he would," was the quiet remark of the stockman; and Frank +understood that the other had been forming a favorable opinion of the +chums from the minute he saw them come off the train. + +"Would you like that skin to remember the event by, Jerry?" Mr. Mabie +asked, a little later, while they were watching the cowboys remove the +hide. + +"It would give my mother a cold chill to see it, if she ever heard the +story; but then we have a clubroom over our boathouse, and I guess it +would look nice there. So, since you are so kind as to offer it, I'll +say yes, Mr. Mabie." + +"Well, I should remark that we'd never forgive you if you let that +chance slip. It looks as though our big-game trip might pan out +something worth while, after all," observed Bluff. + +"You do everything on a big scale out here in the Northwest, sir. The +fields of wheat are tremendous, the distances immense, the mountains +higher than any in the East, by long odds; and the game the biggest in +the whole country," remarked Frank. + +"And in this bracing air we hope to raise the finest crop of boys in the +world. But let's return to the house, lads. It's time we had a bite, for +I'm sure your appetites must be sharpened by this little adventure." + +The ranchman cast many a secret admiring glance toward Jerry as they +rode home. He fell back with Frank on purpose to speak his mind, while +the other three galloped on ahead, laughing and shouting, as boys off on +a vacation always do. + +"I like that chap, Jerry," he remarked earnestly. "He's a lad after my +own heart. What he said about not wanting to shoot defenceless game gave +me a wrench, for we cherish notions along that same line up here in the +wilderness. Of course, the grizzly, as I said, does not come under that +law, for he's too terrible a customer to be given much rope." + +"Sometimes he takes his own rope," laughed Frank, secretly delighted to +hear this honest praise of his chum. + +"Which is quite true for you, Frank. That cowboy will not soon get over +the humiliation of having his lariat give way. He feels very sore about +it now," remarked the stockman, casting a side look toward where a +couple of his herders were wrangling over something as they brought up +the rear. + +"I'm so glad you gave Jerry that chance. He's the most enthusiastic +sportsman I ever met, and so honorable in his dealings with the wearers +of fin, fur and feather. No danger of the woods ever being depopulated +while he's around," Frank said, with his customary generous view of +anything that concerned his chums. + +"It was what you may call an inspiration. My first idea, of course, was +to cover the boy and face the bear. I did not doubt my own ability to +down him, but somehow I was tempted to take chances with the lad. I'm +glad now I did it. He stood the racket like a veteran. I'd be a happy +man if I'd only been left a boy like your chum for my own." + +The ranchman spurred on ahead at this, and Frank made no effort to +overtake him, for he felt sure he had seen tears glistening in the +other's eyes, and could appreciate his feelings, for the stockman's only +child, a boy, at that, lay with the mother in the ranch cemetery. + +Breakfast was ready for them, and what a glorious meal the boys made! +Just as Mr. Mabie had said, they proved as hungry as wolves. That clear +mountain air seemed to tone them up after their long railway journey, +and Frank laughingly declared their host had better send away for a new +stock of provisions if he expected to keep them satisfied. + +Bluff was the first to leave the table. Frank had seen him eating +hurriedly toward the close of the meal. He knew without being told what +ailed his comrade. + +"He'll never be happy until he gets it, fellows!" sang out Jerry, who, +of course, had also noticed the hurried departure of the anxious one. + +They could hear Bluff tossing things around hurriedly in the other room, +where they expected to bunk, and to which the big trunk had been finally +carried. + +Ten minutes later, Frank, remembering that a great silence had fallen +over the neighboring apartment, stole softly to the door and looked in. +He saw a picture of abject dejection there--Bluff sitting on the floor, +in the midst of piles of garments, clothes bags, and all manner of +things, frowning and shaking his head, as if he had lost his last +friend. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Frank, drawing nearer. + +"Matter enough," answered the disconsolate one, sighing heavily. "Why, +after all my trouble and everything, I've gone and left that knife at +home, and now my whole trip is going to be spoiled for me. I just seemed +to feel that something was bound to happen to upset my calculations. I +might as well go back, that's what," said Bluff, gritting his teeth in +his spasm of disgust. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +FRANK HAS HIS TURN + + +"Oh, humbug! There are other knives," remarked Frank cheerily. + +"Not like that one," said Bluff dismally. + +"No doubt Mr. Mabie will lend you a good one while you're here." + +"Yes, he's awfully kind, but it wouldn't be that knife," groaned the +bereaved Bluff. + +"When do you remember seeing it last?" demanded Frank, as a suspicion +darted into his brain that was connected with Jerry. + +On one of their former camping trips Jerry had professed to entertain a +decided antipathy toward a repeating shotgun of modern make that Bluff +had bought. He declared that it was a shame for one who called himself a +sportsman to handle so destructive a weapon. When a chance came, he hid +the gun in a box that held some of their superfluous things. Later, upon +trying to find it, in order to give it back, he learned that it was +missing, and Bluff had to go without his gun until the hunt was nearly +over, when it was discovered in the woods, where the thief had dropped +it. + +Frank wondered if Jerry was concerned in the mysterious vanishing of the +wonderful hunting-knife. He had laughed at its tremendous proportions +and ornate handle. Still, it did not seem reasonable to believe that +Jerry would be guilty of a second trick along those same lines. + +"I was trying to remember. You know we were showing our things to the +girls?" + +"Yes, I believe we were," smiled Frank; for he could still see Bluff +flourishing his precious knife, sheath and all, for the entertainment of +Nellie. + +"Well, I can't remember for the life of me seeing it again after that. +You know we packed in a big hurry in the morning. I may have laid it +aside, intending that it would go in on top, and then overlooked it. +Such a fool play, too, when that was the prize of the whole collection!" +groaned Bluff. + +"And you've looked over the whole outfit here, have you?" Frank +continued, surveying the piled-up mess of stuff. + +"Yes; three separate times. Oh, there's no getting around it, I've made +a goose of myself, and you know how I wanted to use that trusty blade +so much. Of course, I won't think of moping in my tent. I'll borrow a +knife, and perhaps it will do me good service; but nothing can ever take +the place of that beautiful piece of steel." + +"Well, let's get these things in something like order before the boys +come in. Sort out what belongs to you, and chuck the balance of your +extra clothes in your own bag, for I see that you've had most of them +out" + +"Yes. I even wondered if I could have stuck that knife in among my other +shirts and underclothes, but it isn't there. I'll have to stand it, but +you fellows will never know what a loss this is to me. Coming all this +distance, too, just to get a chance to use it on an elk, or something +worth while." + +Frank thought that if Bluff had his way his mates would at least never +have a chance to forget about his great loss, for he was apt to remind +them of it every little while. + +Will now came bustling in, anxious to ascertain if his little developing +outfit came through safely, together with his packages of hypo and other +necessities. + +It was decided to put in that day around the ranch seeing how Mr. Mabie +ran his business. Then on the following morning a party of them +intended to set out for a camp in the mountains, where game would +likely be found. + +"We'll occupy three camps I have in view. From the first we can go to +the second by taking several bullboats that will be waiting for us, and +shooting the rapids in the river. That would be an experience you boys +might enjoy," remarked the stockman as they rode around the valley to +get a comprehensive grasp upon the way in which this enterprising +settler carried on a big cattle ranch. + +Reddy seemed to have been picked out by the owner to keep with them. +Frank was glad of this, for somehow he had come to entertain a fancy for +the smiling young cowboy. + +"Rapids, did you say?" exclaimed Jerry, his face lighting up with +rapture. "Why, that would tickle us from the ground up. I've always +wanted to run through some little Niagara. Frank, here, has done it up +in Maine, so he tells us. I hope what you have will beat his experience +all hollow." + +"Well, they are some rapids, I understand," replied the other, smiling. + +"And if I could only be on the shore, to see you shoot down, it would +afford me the greatest pleasure in the world. Not that I don't want to +go through, too, but my first duty is toward securing all these +wonderful events in an imperishable way by taking a picture. Some +scoffers may doubt a story, but pictures never lie." + +"That shows your innocence, Will," remarked Jerry. "Why, I've seen +fellows standing beside the fish they caught, which I knew myself to be +only ten inches long, and yet the cunning photographer had arranged it +so that it looked all of two feet." + +"I'm surprised that you, with all your experience, shouldn't know that," +said Frank, pretending to frown. + +"You mistook my meaning, that's all. What I intended to say was that +_my_ pictures would never lie," affirmed Will sturdily. + +"Hear! hear! Somebody rub him on the back, please! But joking aside, +Will, I'm ready to back you up on that score. The only fault I find with +you is your ambition to take a fellow in every pickle he happens to drop +into," and Jerry made a wry face as he remembered a number of scenes in +which he had figured, that were wont to excite his chums to uproarious +laughter at such times as they looked at the faithful reproductions in +their album at the clubhouse. + +In this pleasant way the day passed, and evening found them eager to +complete their preparations for the morrow. Mr. Mabie answered every +question fired at him by the anxious young sportsmen, especially Bluff, +who wanted to know everything connected with the game they expected to +hunt. + +"He's trying to forget his great disappointment," said Frank as he and +Jerry watched the other plying Mr. Mabie with these queries; for Bluff +was the son of a lawyer, and would never take things for granted. + +"What's that?" asked Jerry, for no one had been told about the loss that +had come to Bluff. + +"Can't find that knife of his anywhere, it seems, and believes he must +have left it behind. He was looking mighty blue when I found him in the +room, with all our stuff tumbled, pell-mell, out of the trunk." + +Frank eyed his chum as he spoke. Jerry turned a little red. + +"Not guilty, Frank! I give you my word I never touched the measly old +knife. I'm sorry for him, too, for he seemed so bent on doing great +stunts with it. I'll take a look myself," he said hastily, and yet +meeting his chum's gaze in such a straightforward fashion that Frank +never doubted his word for an instant. + +"No use doing that. He rooted the whole outfit over. The knife is gone, +and that's sure! I've been thinking some about it." + +"And had a bright idea, I warrant. What's your solution of the +mystery?" + +"Why, you see, Jerry, I can clearly recollect Nellie's startled look +when Bluff showed her that terribly large knife. She's afraid of such +things. I'm sure she must have worried some about it, and I was +thinking--" + +"What?" + +"That perhaps she may have considered it prudent to hide it away so that +he couldn't find it again. I believe she would in my case, anyhow. It +would be just like Nellie." + +"Oh, well, it doesn't matter much, only Bluff is such a fellow to hang +on a thing he'll never give us any peace about it. Have you asked Will?" +said Jerry. + +"No. I will, though; but I don't think he would bother his head about a +dozen knives. If it were a camera, now, or a rapid-action rectilinear +lens, you could depend on him to take notice." + +Frank was as good as his word. Will denied having touched the article in +question, and said he was sorry to hear Bluff would be deprived of a +pleasure. + +And so for the time being the mystery remained such, with Bluff +occasionally digging into that trunk in a vain search, and always +sighing mournfully because he failed to bring the lost treasure to +light. + +The boys bunked in one big room. It was very much like a picnic for +them, and would often bring back pleasant memories whenever they looked +at the rather clever view Will managed to get of the interior, with his +chums and himself lolling there. + +In the morning there was pretty much of a bustle around the ranch house. + +"Ready, boys?" called Mr. Mabie, as he appeared with his gun strapped +across his back, as the easiest way of carrying it. + +A chorus of affirmatives greeted his question. + +"Then mount, and we'll be off. They've gone on ahead last night with the +tents and foodstuff, so that we'll find things in pretty much shipshape +when we get on the ground." + +"Say, they do things right out in this big country, eh?" said Bluff to +Frank as the two of them galloped off in company. + +The morning was fair and the air sharp enough to be bracing. + +"Never saw anything to equal the atmosphere here," remarked Frank as +their host came alongside. "There seems to be a tonic in it that even we +do not have up in Maine or the Adirondacks. It makes you feel like +shouting all the time." + +"Everybody says the same when they first come. Presently you will grow +accustomed to its invigorating tone, and quiet down. It is caused by the +dry air. We are a long way from the Atlantic, and these mighty mountains +to the west act as a buffer to the moisture-laden air from the Pacific." + +Crossing the valley, they were soon penetrating among the foothills at +the base of the great uplifts, the tops of which bore eternal snow. + +Wilder grew the scenery as they penetrated deeper into the wilderness. +Frank and his chums were almost awed by the grandeur of their +surroundings. At the same time, Jerry kept an eager eye on the watch for +signs of game. The sportsman spirit was strong in his nature, and +generally forged to the front. + +It was Frank, however, who first chanced to spy something that excited +his attention. + +"What is that moving up yonder, Mr. Mabie? There! Look! I declare if it +didn't jump straight across from that high rock to the other! Is that a +Rocky Mountain sheep, sir?" he asked. + +"Just what it is, my lad; and if you feel inclined, there is a chance +for you to get a shot at it," came the quick reply. + +"I would like it, first rate," declared Frank, immediately changing his +rifle from his back to his hands. + +"All right, then. Listen, and I'll tell you how it may be done. We'll +rest our horses right here, for the last climb over this rough ridge to +the bank of the swift river lying between. You drop down here and make +your way along until you can get a chance to shoot. It will be a long +shot, remember, so make allowances; and the wind is with you, not +against you." + +"I'll try my best, sir," said Frank, slipping off his horse. + +"Be very careful as you crawl along, for a slip might cost you your +life," were the last words he heard the stockman say as he began to +descend the little declivity in order to make his way along its base, so +as to remain concealed from the quarry. + +Frank was careful as well as quick in his movements. Again and again he +peeped out to see what the mountain sheep was doing. So far as he could +learn, the animal seemed to be centering its attention on the caravan +that had halted. Three times it moved its position, and once he was just +in time to see it make a most dazzling leap, which he hoped Will might +have caught with his quick-action lens. + +Finally, having gained a place where he had a fine view of the animal +standing there across the gorge, Frank sank down so as to get a good +aim. Not quite satisfied, he crawled forward a little further, and then +proceeded to put his fortune to the test. + +Never had he calculated more exactly just how he should aim in order to +bring the success he craved. When he pressed the trigger he was thrilled +to see the mountain sheep give a wild spring into the air and then fall +over the edge of the platform. This time its spring lacked the buoyancy +of life, and Frank knew that his bullet had reached its billet. + +But he had no time to exult, for as he moved he felt the ground slipping +from under him, and realized that nothing could interpose to prevent his +falling into the deep gorge! + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE YOUNG HUNTER AND THE ELK + + +There are times when one acts from instinct alone. Frank had no time to +think, when he felt himself going down with some loose earth and stones +into the wide canyon. He simply threw his rifle back of him, so that he +might save it from falling, and at the same time have the free use of +both hands. + +He fell a dozen feet or so, along with the loose soil and rocks he had +caused to give way under his weight. Then, by some happy accident, his +outstretched hands closed upon a bush that was growing from the rough +face of the wall, and to this he clung with desperation. + +It threatened to come loose with each movement he made, and yet he was +bound to find some niche for his dangling feet, so as to relieve the +bush from a part of his weight. + +He had heard the loud outcries of his friends, and knew they must be +hastening to his relief. + +If he could only hold on for five minutes all might be well. + +Below lay quite an abyss, and a fall was apt to bruise him very much, +even if he were fortunate enough not to have any bones broken. It was, +therefore, with considerable gratitude that he discovered he could dig +his toes into crevices in the rock, and thus hang on. + +Jerry afterward declared that Frank presented all the appearance of a +fly plastered against a wall; but it might have been noticed that he was +the first one to reach the edge of the platform and breathe encouraging +words to his endangered chum. + +Mr. Mabie knew what would be needed before he made the first movement. + +"Bring your rope, Reddy!" he shouted, and the agile cowboy had obeyed. + +This was quickly lowered until the noose dangled below Frank. + +"Use one foot to draw it in, my boy. We want you to get both legs inside +the loop, and then gradually let us draw it up under your arms. It's all +right. We're going to have you out of that, so don't worry!" called the +ranchman. + +"You can depend on it, Frank isn't frightened. If that bush threatens to +go, get a quick grip of the rope! Do you understand, Frank?" called +Jerry. + +A quick nod of the head told that the one below realized he was as good +as drawn up already. One foot was cautiously withdrawn from its support +and the loop caught; then the second also passed inside the circle; +after which a tightening of the lariat brought it up to where Mr. Mabie +wanted to have it. + +"Now here you come, my boy!" he called cheerily. + +Frank let go his frenzied clutch, and swung into space; but willing +hands quickly drew him up until he stood with his chums. + +"Did I get him?" was the first question he asked, at which the stockman +laughed heartily and patted him on the back. + +"Spoken like a true sportsman, I declare! How about it, Reddy?" he said. + +"There's his game, sir, lying just at the foot of that old slide. It was +as neat a shot as I ever saw," declared the young cowboy, pointing. + +"Which is the truth, old fellow!" exclaimed Jerry, seizing Frank's hand +and wringing it warmly, without a touch of jealousy, even though his own +laurels as the admitted best shot of the club seemed in jeopardy. + +"But what a pity we can't get it! I hate to think of killing game and +leaving it for the wolves," said Frank. + +"Oh, that's soon remedied. Reddy will promise to land that sheep here +for you in double-quick order, eh?" + +Reddy was already fastening one end of his lariat to a projecting stone +that resembled a saddle-horn. This done, he tried it, to make sure that +it would hold. Then he tossed the balance of the rope, loop and all, +over the edge. + +"Does it reach down?" asked Mr. Mabie. + +"Just gets there, and no more," replied Will, craning his neck to see. + +Reddy flung himself over in what struck Will as a most reckless fashion; +but he discovered in time that these free riders of the ranches do +everything in that nervous manner. It is a country where men quickly +learn that often their lives depend on their ability to act promptly and +like a flash. + +"He's down already," announced Will, half a minute later. + +And it was not ten minutes before they saw the cowboy coming back again. +He had Frank's first mountain sheep upon his back, and though the way +was rough he jumped from stone to stone with surprising agility for one +who spent so much time in the saddle. + +In due time the journey was resumed. + +"How much further do we go?" asked Will, as he followed behind the +guide, Reddy. + +"Here's the top of the ridge. Now you can see the other valley, and the +noise you hear is made by a cataract in the river. We camp just below +that. Fishing is good there, and I guess you'll like it," was the reply. + +They soon headed down, and the end of their day's work seemed close at +hand. It can be easily assumed that none of the boys were sorry. Quite +unused to riding, they began to feel the effects already. + +"I'm glad it's a camp after this. I've sure got a cramp in my legs that +it'll take a long time to get out," grunted Bluff. + +"Rome wasn't built in a day, son. Each time you ride you'll notice that +cramp less and less, until after a month you will be entirely free from +it. But here we are at our journey's end, and I, for one, don't feel +sorry, because for ten minutes I've been scenting that coffee. The boys +have seen us coming, and started to have dinner cooked." + +It proved to be just as Mr. Mabie said. A most appetizing camp dinner +was ready for them when they arrived. Perhaps Jerry and Frank may have +thought it did not fully come up to some similar feasts they had helped +prepare in the woods, but of course they never hinted at such a thing; +for those cowboys, while the most accommodating of fellows, were also +thin-skinned in some respects. + +Will was fairly delighted at the romantic looks of the camp, back of +which the waterfall came tumbling down. He could hardly wait to eat his +dinner before he set to work to secure a _fac-simile_ of the picture, +with the party gathered around the fire, and the three tents making a +pleasing contrast to the dark green of the piñon trees. + +Most of the party were contented to remain quiet during the balance of +the day, but Bluff developed an unusually ambitious spirit for action. +Truth to tell, he secretly considered that his chums were having more +than their share of good luck in making a record at bagging game, and +thought it time he started in. + +Mr. Mabie had made him accept the use of a spare hunting-knife. It was a +short, though serviceable weapon, and had doubtless done splendid +execution in days gone by. Bluff used to take it out when he thought no +one was looking, run his finger over the keen edge, gaze sadly at the +dim blade, and shake his head. He could not get the memory of that other +grand specimen of the cutler's skill out of his mind, and his soul was +filled with bitterness because of its strange absence. + +"Look out for wolves!" called Reddy, but Bluff only waved his hand in +derision as he walked away down the valley. + +Of course, he knew that the stockmen were more or less troubled with +these hungry marauders in the winter time, and often had to organize +grand hunts in order to keep their number down; but it hardly seemed +reasonable to expect trouble from such a source in the summer season. + +Elk and moose had not as yet come under the protection of the game laws, +so that they were at liberty to shoot what they pleased. As a rule, +however, Mr. Mabie did not believe in hunting such animals save in the +fall of the year. + +Bluff had asked numerous questions before leaving camp, so that he knew +something about the lay of the land in the vicinity. He had started out +with all due regard to the way the wind was blowing, so as not to alarm +any quarry that might be sniffing up the breeze. + +Climbing among the rocks, and passing through dense patches of timber, +he kept on the alert for signs of game. Now, Bluff did not make any +pretence at being a skilful sportsman. In fact, until a year or so back +he had been the bungler of the party when it came to a knowledge of +woodcraft; but since then he had studied up on various subjects, and was +now anxious to air his knowledge. + +When he caught sight of a large animal with towering antlers, feeding in +a little glade, he knew it must, of necessity, be an elk, for a moose +was built along different lines entirely. + +It might have amused Jerry to see the way in which Bluff crawled closer +and closer to the expected quarry. No doubt he did make some ridiculous +efforts, which were not at all according to the usual rules of the game. +However, as Bluff would say, the proof of the pudding lies in the eating +of it, and he certainly did manage to creep up quite close to the +feeding elk. + +Thinking he was now near enough, and that the animal was beginning to +act uneasily, Bluff stretched himself out, balanced his gun on a stone, +took a long aim, and then pulled the trigger. + +The elk certainly dropped, at which the young hunter gave a bellow of +delight. That was where he made a foolish blunder, for believing that +his bullet had done for the game, Bluff started recklessly forward, bent +on bleeding the same, and only regretting the fact that he could not +initiate his precious new blade. + +To his astonishment, the wounded elk scrambled to its feet, and instead +of bounding away it shook its antlers in an angry fashion and started +straight toward the young hunter! + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE ELK AND THE YOUNG HUNTER + + +"Hey! Hold on, there! That isn't in the game!" + +The elk did not seem to care whether it were so or not, but came rushing +straight on. Like many another, more experienced in the ways of the +woods than himself, Bluff almost forgot that he had other charges in his +gun. He was so amazed to see the animal he had fully believed to be dead +show such surprising signs of life, that he stood there for a few +precious seconds, gaping as if in a dream. + +Then he made a wild spring to one side and gained the shelter of a tree. + +"Oh! What a socker!" he exclaimed, as the enraged and bleeding animal +came full tilt against the trunk of the tree. + +Before he could say more, or try to form any plan of action, he found +himself obliged to spin around that same trunk with all the rapidity he +could command, for the elk was apparently determined to overtake him, +and those towering antlers seemed pointed with spikes, in the eyes of +the startled lad as he strained every effort to keep beyond their reach. + +Bluff was really alarmed by this time. He knew that any unfortunate slip +on his part would precipitate a tragedy. + +"I laughed at Jerry and the wild dogs that chased him around and around, +but never again for me!" he gasped, as he kept up the weary circle, +hugging the trunk as closely as possible. + +This, however, caused him to remember that on the other occasion his +chum had finally managed to gain the victory through his own gun, and +Bluff suddenly came to a knowledge of the fact that he did have a gun +gripped in his hand, and which also contained five more shots. + +"Hold on! Give me a breathing spell, hang you! I'll fix you yet!" he +managed to exclaim, though he would better have husbanded his breath to +better purpose. + +The elk was not a bit accommodating. Perhaps the animal understood that +so long as it kept Bluff in rapid motion the human enemy could not find +a chance to use that fire-stick again, that shot out such burning +missiles. At any rate, it persevered, and poor Bluff's tongue fairly +hung out with fatigue. + +In desperation, he was about to turn around, trusting to luck to get in +a shot that would put an end to this awful chase in a circle, when the +elk tripped and fell. + +"Now!" gasped Bluff. + +You would have thought he must have leveled his gun and fired. Jerry +or Frank would, in all probability, have done that very thing. But +Bluff seemed to go back to the first law of Nature, which is +self-preservation. + +He dropped his gun, and seizing a limb that happened to be within reach, +climbed into the tree with the agility of a monkey. Fear spurred him on +to do his best work just then. + +"Don't you wish you could?" he shouted derisively down at the elk, which +was jumping up, and making all manner of threatening movements with its +antlered head, much after the fashion of an enraged goat, Bluff thought. + +He was safe enough, but somehow Bluff did not like the idea of having to +wait in the tree until his chums, drawn by his calls, came to the +rescue. Why, he would never hear the end of the thing! It was too +horrible to contemplate, and in some fashion he must secure possession +of his gun to end the career of that pugnacious old bull elk. + + [Illustration: "DON'T YOU WISH YOU COULD?" HE SHOUTED DERISIVELY DOWN AT + THE ELK.--_Page 98_. + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_.] + +Bluff had read more or less about the strange adventures that befall +hunters of big game. He also remembered how one man had fished for his +gun, and successfully, under similar conditions. + +Having no cord in his pocket, he deliberately tore his handkerchief into +strips and knotted them together. When this failed to reach the ground, +he fastened it to the end of a long and stout "sucker," or sprout, which +he cut from the body of the tree. + +A running loop was made at the other end, for he could see that his gun +lay in such a position that the barrel was tilted. + +Bluff then began to angle. Many times he came near accomplishing his +purpose, when something occurred to break up his plans. + +"I'll never give up," he declared, when the elk moved forward, as if +suspecting something, and endeavored to catch the dangling noose in its +antlers, which Bluff would not have happen for anything. + +"If I was trying to catch you, I'd want something stronger than this +rag. Now please wander away again, and let me have another try," he +said; and then, as the animal did walk off a dozen paces, as if +encouraging him to descend, he courteously added, "Thank you." + +A minute later he was thrilled to find that his erratic loop had +actually dropped over the end of the gun barrel. A quick jerk at the +proper instant tightened the clutch, and after that it was the easiest +thing in the world to pull the weapon up within reach of his trembling +hands. + +"Now, we'll see if you're going to have the laugh on me, you old scamp! +Hi! Hold on, there! Who said you could walk away? Come back here, and +have it out! I dare you!" + +The elk, as if suspecting that all was not well, had indeed started to +move off. But when Bluff made a great feint of coming down, he succeeded +in exciting the animal's anger again, and caution was flung to the +winds. + +Bluff watched for his chance, and when it came he made sure work of it +by sending a bullet through the heart of the fighting elk. + +Even then he waited a little while. + +"Going to try getting up again? This time I'm ready for you, old +fellow!" he said to the fallen beast; but presently it became patent, +even to his inexperienced eyes, that the elk had breathed its last. + +"Now, if Will were only here," Bluff remarked enviously, as he put one +foot on his prize and tried to look very unconcerned, as if knocking +down such big game might be a matter of almost daily occurrence with +him. + +Not knowing how to go about cutting the elk up, Bluff headed back toward +the camp. Before leaving the spot he thought to bleed the quarry, after +a fashion, for he understood that such a thing was always done to make +the meat taste better. + +Half an hour later he showed up in the camp. It was next to impossible +to get lost in that valley, which might account for Bluff finding his +way back with comparative ease. + +Jerry was lounging alongside one of the tents, engaged in getting his +fishing tackle in order, for a try in the pool below the falls. + +"Shall we send the horses out to tote it in?" he asked, after the usual +fashion of greeting greenhorns when they come back from a hunt +apparently unattended by success. + +"Did you hear me shoot?" asked Bluff carelessly. + +"Why, yes, twice; and some time apart. What was it--a crow or a +jack-rabbit?" + +Bluff only smiled as Mr. Mabie came out of the tent and glanced at him. + +"What would you say that was, sir?" he asked, thrusting something in +front of the old stockman. + +Starting back, Mr. Mabie looked hastily at the hairy object. + +"An elk's tail, as sure as you live!" he remarked, his face relaxing in +a smile. + +"What's that?" roared Jerry, springing to his feet. + +"Oh, you needn't get excited about it. Do you see the dull spots on my +knife? Well, I bled my game, all right, just as I wanted to do with that +bully good blade that was left behind; and if Reddy will only go back +with me, we can bring the old fellow in on a horse," said Bluff coolly. + +"Count me in on that!" exclaimed Will, rushing out of his impromptu +dark-room, and waving the bottle in which he was making a solution of +hypo. + +"I think I'll go along, too," remarked Frank, appearing from some other +place. + +When the party started forth presently, there were six of them with the +horse--the chums, Reddy, and Mr. Mabie himself. + +"I am beginning to believe you boys will corral everything in sight if +you keep on the way you've started. A grizzly, a sheep, and now an elk; +and only thirty hours with me! H'm! Perhaps I may not be able to show +you as much about big-game hunting as I expected," said the stockman, +who seemed vastly amused at the energy shown by his young guests at the +ranch. + +"Oh, we can pull a trigger, all right, sir, but there are a thousand +things we want to know about these natives that books never teach. I'm +like a sponge, and can keep on soaking up information all the time," +laughed Frank. + +Incautiously, Bluff let fall certain words that gave Jerry a clue as to +the true situation. + +"A tree! Shot him downward from a tree, eh? Now, since you've so frankly +confessed that much, why not tell the whole blooming story, Bluff?" he +cried. + +"There isn't much to it. I saw the elk. Then I shot him, and he fell +over. After that the elk saw me. He chased me about a tree. I remembered +how fast Jerry said he ran around when those wild dogs were after him, +and I wanted to go him just one better. Then I found a chance to climb +when the wounded elk stumbled. After that I made a rope out of my +handkerchief and fished with a loop until I caught the barrel of my gun. +That's all." + +"A whole history in a nutshell. But we must be getting near the place, +according to what you said at the start. There are the three oaks +growing in a clump. Now where's your dead elk?" + +As Frank spoke he turned to Bluff. That individual was staring around in +evident bewilderment. + +"It was sure here I met him. There's the little glade, and this big tree +is the one I climbed up into. I saw him lying there. I _know_ he was +dead when I bled him. But I must be blind, for the elk certainly is not +here now. Oh! Did he come to life again, and run away?" said poor Bluff, +in despair, looking at the tail, which he had thrust into his belt. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HARD LUCK + + +"Talk to me about your dreamers!" muttered Jerry, shrugging his +shoulders. + +"But I tell you it was so!" asserted Bluff, firing up. + +"The boy is right," said Mr. Mabie, as he stepped forward and fastened +his eyes upon the ground. + +Frank saw immediately what the stockman had in mind. These things +mentioned by Bluff could never have happened without leaving some +tangible traces behind. Where a big elk had been slain there must be +signs of the blood that had flowed. + +"Look here, and see for yourself, Jerry." And Mr. Mabie pointed to the +ground at his feet. + +"There's some marks of hoofs around, I admit, and they seem to circle +about the tree, just as Bluff says; and--yes, that's blood on the +ground, as sure as you live! I guess I'm on the wrong track. He did +have a merry circus. He did shoot an elk, but where has the blooming +thing gone?" exclaimed the scoffer. + +"That's just what I'm going to find out through Reddy, here. He has some +local reputation as a tracker. Put your nose down to it, and let us know +what happened, Reddy." + +In accordance with the request of the ranchman, the cowboy threw himself +upon his hands and knees. + +"Indians!" he announced, before they had taken half a dozen breaths. + +"What?" cried Bluff, staring hard. + +"Cree Indians been here. I can see the print of their moccasins plain as +day; and here's where they dragged the elk along, heading toward the +river!" + +Reddy seemed to have not the slightest trouble in reading the signs, and +yet to the boys there was not the faintest vestige of marks. Presently, +however, Frank was able to make out the print of a foot in the soil, and +he noted that the one who made it wore no heels. His footwear must be +moccasins. + +"H'm!" remarked Mr. Mabie. "Just what I suspected. The thieving Crees +have robbed our young friend of his prize. Too bad! But there are more +elk around, Bluff, and I hope you'll have other chances." + +"But that one chased me so hard I wanted revenge. I calculated on eating +a bit of his flank for my dinner. What's the matter with our following +up the scamps, and making them give up some of my game, anyhow?" +demanded the disappointed hunter. + +"Impossible just now. The river is close by, and they undoubtedly had +boats in which they fled, carrying off your elk. By this time they've +shot the rapids, and must be miles below. Possibly we may run across the +rascals later, when we also go down the river," replied Mr. Mabie. + +Reddy had gone off, his head bent low, and they understood that he was +following the trail, much as a hound would have done, with this one +difference, that whereas a dog pursues by scent alone, the cowboy had to +depend on his eyes. + +"But if game is so plentiful, why should these Crees want to steal my +elk?" pursued Bluff, who could not be easily satisfied. + +"That bothers me to answer. Perhaps they happened to be out of +ammunition. There are several other explanations, but in my opinion the +most probable is the natural meanness of certain dusky bucks; just as +your able tramp refuses to do a lick of work, while he'll walk twenty +miles for nothing," smiled the other. + +"There comes Reddy back. Perhaps he knows more about it now," said +Frank, who was decidedly interested in the enigma. + +They waited until the cowboy joined the circle about the tree. + +"Boats, Reddy?" asked Mr. Mabie. + +"Three. Must have carried around the falls without our knowing it. Hung +about here, waiting to steal something from our camp. Had a snare set +for jack-rabbits. Saw some torn skins in the camp," was what the cowboy +replied, in his jerky way. + +"Oh! Then I guess they must have been here before we came, and all you +say makes me believe I was right. They have no arms, or else their +powder and shot have run out; and for some reason they are afraid to +meet whites. Well, the elk's gone, and we can't mend that. Let's return +to camp. You have the tail to show for your little adventure, my lad." + +"Yes, sir; and the memory of it all, which will haunt me for a good long +time," said Bluff, with a shake of his head, as he contemplated the +historic tree around which he had done a little Marathon. + +"But I mean to get a picture of this tree, anyhow, just to remind Bluff +how valuable a good pair of sprinting legs may be sometimes," laughed +Will. + +And he did, with Bluff standing alongside; for once the official +photographer demanded a pose, he was bound to get it, or throw up his +job, for such was the law of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + +Then they retraced their steps to the camp, Frank more than usually +thoughtful, for anything in the shape of a mystery always set him to +puzzling, and he more than once wondered whether they would ever learn +just why those Crees stole the elk Bluff had downed after so much +trouble. + +"How many did there seem to be?" he asked Reddy, a little later. + +"You mean of the thieving reds? I counted nine in all, four bucks, two +squaws and three pappooses," replied the other. + +"But if I understand rightly, these Indians never take their families +when they go on the war-path. Is that so, Reddy?" Frank asked quickly. + +"Say, get that notion out of your head right away. They ain't no Crees +lookin' for trouble these days. My idea is just this: This is a family +travelin' acrost country, for some reason or other. P'raps they got +kicked out of their pesky old village. I've knowed such things to +happen. Then they run short of meat, and didn't have guns or powder. +Under such conditions any redman would steal." + +"Well, who could blame them, with women and children to feed? I guess +you hit the nail on the head that time, Reddy. Glad to think that way, +too. We can spare the elk, and it will spur Bluff on to other hunting +deeds. He's had a taste now, and the fever will work on him." + +Meanwhile, Jerry had started his fishing below the cataract. There were +places just at the end of the foam-splashed outlet of the big pool where +they had seen noble trout jumping, and it was here he dropped his flies. + +After trying them a short time, and ascertaining that the trout paid +little attention to the feathery lure, practical Jerry actually +descended to the plebian angleworm, though he blushed when Frank came +over to watch him. + +"Got to have some for supper, you know," he remarked. "Now, if I was +only doing this thing for the sport, nothing could tempt me to use live +bait. I'm at it in the strict commercial sense this time." + +"I understand; and Jerry, let me tell you, the sportsman who, when +trout-hungry, refuses to go back to first principles, and use grubs and +worms after the fish refuse the fly, is to be pitied, that's all," +laughed Frank. + +"Hey! That's a dandy, all right! See him jump, will you? Wow! He's all +of two pounds, and as strong as an ox! I hope the leader holds. It's +been frayed some by rubbing over rocks in the past. Please pick up that +landing-net and attend to the beauty, if I can coax him close enough, +Frank." + +Frank landed not only that beauty, but several more, ere he wandered off +to do something else. Jerry kept on fishing until he could not get +another bite, by which time he had quite a nice string of the speckled +beauties. + +"Perhaps enough for a decent meal; though if Bluff develops his usual +appetite, the rest of us would go hungry. I wonder if a fellow mightn't +have some luck up above the falls? Guess I'll make a shift to try," he +said to himself. + +The last view he had of the camp showed him Reddy amusing Bluff by +making flying tosses of his rope and lassoing all sorts of objects, from +the hat on the head of the admiring witness, to something tossed up in +the air. + +Jerry labored up the hillside until he finally came to where he could +look down at the water as it shot over the edge. It fell with a great +deal of noise, striking the rocks below in many places with terrific +force. + +"Ugh! It would just about bang a fellow to pieces to drop over there," +he remarked, commencing to move upstream, looking for a promising place +to begin his fishing operations. + +Presently he discovered a log that jutted out over the swift current. +From this outlook he believed he could allow his bait to float down into +an eddy that looked as though it might be the home of a big hermit +trout. + +Jerry tested the log as he cautiously advanced. He realized that he was +taking some chances in creeping out to its furthest end, but so far as +he could ascertain it seemed to be firm enough. + +Straddling the log, he started to get his baited hook in motion. The +wriggling worms sank a little in the swirl. At first, he was unable to +just master the difficult problem of how to influence the bait to float +into the eddy. Twice he failed to accomplish this, but studying the +rushing stream a little, he fancied that by a certain throw in the start +he could gain his end. + +Sure enough, it worked, and like a charm. The baited hook was drawn back +into the foam-flecked eddy, and he saw it vanish from view. Then came a +most tremendous jerk, that almost caused him to lose his balance and +the log to quiver, with sickening possibilities. + +But Jerry glued his legs against the sides, just as he had been told to +do with a refractory pony, and managed to recover his balance. The trout +was a gamey one, and the swiftness of the current made the task of +securing him doubly hard. + +"I'll work, all right, for everything I hook here," panted Jerry, after +ten minutes had passed, and he tossed his exhausted prize over to the +bank. + +But he would not give up. Where one such fine, fat fellow held out there +was certainly a chance for more, so he continued his fishing. + +Unknown to him, Will had also wandered up that steep hillside, searching +for a new view of the wonderful cataract. Pushing through the dense +thickets, he chanced to catch a glimpse of the lone fisherman. + +"Now, that's what I call a picturesque sight! Look at the chap perched +out on the very end of that log, with the water rushing below like a +mill-race! Here's where I get you, my duck. Fancy to what ends a +fisherman will go in order to enjoy his favorite sport." + +Will seemed to forget entirely that he was willing to undertake just as +long a pilgrimage and buck up against as difficult problems simply to +get one snapshot that appealed to his soul. + +"There! He's got another fish on! My! How it pulls! I wouldn't be out on +that log, doing such a job, for anything. But I just bet Jerry is as +happy as a clam. He sets his teeth, and holds on as if he had a whale, +and perhaps it is a big un! I must get him again in that position. Why, +although he don't know it, he's just giving me the best thing of the +day!" + +Will rapidly adjusted his camera, and looked down to see that he had the +proper focus before snapping the shutter. The light was good up there, +and he believed he must have the greatest success with such a picture as +that. Besides, it had the genuine article of life in it, which he always +sought in taking his views. + +Then he pressed his finger, in the belief that he was about to snatch a +snapshot bound to give the four chums the keenest satisfaction in days +to come. + +"Oh!" + +The startled exclamation broke involuntarily from the lips of Will even +at the very second he took his picture, and he let his beloved camera +fall to the ground, at the risk of doing it some material damage. + +It was not this seeming mishap that had brought the startled cry from +his lips, but the crash of sundering wood, and the sudden disappearance +of the lone fisherman below the rim of the river bank; for the log had +finally betrayed Jerry, and dropped him into that swirling, maddening +current above the high falls! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +AN INVADER IN CAMP + + +Will dashed madly toward the river bank. It happened that he was +somewhat below the point where Jerry's mishap had come about. Hence, he +was able to reach the edge of the stream in a dozen seconds. + +Even that short time had been enough to sweep the imperiled lad past the +place. Will was thrilled with horror to see his chum in the midst of the +churning current, trying to cling to a slippery rock, from which +insecure hold he was being gradually but surely sucked by the fierce +power exerted by the rushing stream. + +Never had the roar of the falls sounded more terrible to poor Will than +when he saw Jerry suspended, as it were, above the great drop. Once he +lost his hold, he must be swept irresistibly over the edge, down to +those cruel rocks below. + +Will would have foolishly attempted to reach his chum had he chanced to +be opposite the place where Jerry hung on with the desperation of +despair. As it was, he could do nothing, which was just as well, for +there must only have been two of them given over to the river once he +ventured into that mill-race. + +"Help! Oh, help!" he shrieked. + +The roar of the cataract must have muffled his call, so that it might +just as well have been a whisper. + +Just as Will was about to give up in despair, and count Jerry as good as +lost, he made a sudden discovery. Another figure had appeared on the +bank, and just at a point opposite the rock to which Jerry clung. + +"Reddy! Save him! save him!" cried Will, wringing his hands. + +Then he became mute with suspense. The cowboy did not recklessly rush +into the boiling flood, for he knew only too well that such a course +could not help the imperiled one. Instead, Will saw him whirling his +rope about his head with lightning-like haste. + +His heart in his eyes, Will continued to stare, holding his very breath. +He saw the coils of rope fly out just as when Reddy was giving his +exhibition in camp. Not far did they have to speed, for Jerry was close +to the shore. + +"Oh! what luck! He's done it! He's done it! Jerry has the rope now, and +he is coming in, hand over hand! Bully! bully! bully!" + +Will was so excited that he fairly danced up and down as he shouted +these words aloud. Then, bethinking himself of what a magnificent +picture he was losing, he took several steps in the direction of the +spot where his camera lay. Stopping hastily, as his affection for his +chum more than counterbalanced his love for an effective scene, he +turned around and hurried to join the others. + +Jerry was ashore, and wringing the hand of Reddy, when Will arrived. + +Regardless of the rescued boy's wet clothes, Will threw his arms around +him. + +"Oh! you gave me such a fright, Jerry! I'm quivering all over! How lucky +Reddy happened to be here, and with his rope, too!" After saying which +he turned his attention to the smiling cowboy, and squeezed his hand +ardently. + +"I sure beat my record that time, boys. I've roped some queer things, +but never a feller that was going whoopin' over a falls. Don't know why +I slung the old lariat over my arm when I started up here to see what +luck Jerry had. Mighty glad now I did, though. It'd been purty hard to +get him out with only a stick to stretch over." + +Reddy was extremely modest, and only too willingly agreed not to say a +word about the mishap and rescue to any of the others; and Will was also +bound to secrecy by Jerry. + +Back in the woods they made a fire, where Jerry succeeded in drying his +clothes. + +"Anyhow, I saved that fish," he announced, with a satisfied shake of the +head. + +Will looked at the cowboy inquiringly. + +"Sure thing he did. When he came ashore he had that line fast in his +hand, and pulled the trout in before he'd even shake. He's a real sport, +all right," said Reddy, with admiration in his manner. + +"It seems as though these things are born in one. Now, I'd have dropped +my rod the very first thing, and howled for help," remarked Will. + +"How about your camera?" asked Jerry wickedly. + +"H'm! That's a different thing. But when I saw you go in I did let that +fall. Luckily, no damage was done. My heart would be broken if the +blessed little black box got out of shape. But I've one picture of you +on that log," announced Will. + +"And that will be enough to give me a clammy feeling every time I look +at it," nodded Jerry, who was in secret more shaken by his recent +terrible experience than he cared to show. + +They went down a little later, Jerry carrying his two dearly-earned +trout. And when the others praised the fisherman that evening at supper +for supplying their camp table, they little dreamed how near their +hard-working chum had come to disaster in his efforts to land the +enticing finny beauties of the river. + +Besides the trout, they enjoyed mutton that night, for Frank's mountain +sheep was brought into use. Perhaps it was tough, perhaps the flavor did +not strike the boys quite as favorably as some mutton they had eaten at +home, but such trifles could not dampen their enthusiasm a particle, and +they voted the meal a grand success all around. + +Seated about the blaze afterward, they chatted until late. Bluff was +inclined to be a bit moody, and sat by himself, listening to all that +was said, but taking no share in the conversation. + +Frank noticed that he seemed to fondle his rifle more than usual, and he +believed the other must be thinking of the elk he had shot, but which +had been stolen by those wandering thieves of Crees. + +"He's still worrying about that butcher knife of his," whispered Jerry, +nudging Frank as he spoke. "I wonder will the fellow ever forget it?" + +"Now, I was watching him, and, to tell the truth, I fancy Bluff has +become aroused to the delight of bringing down big game. That elk was a +revelation to him. See how he listens while Billy is telling of the +panther tracks he saw not a great way off. I wouldn't put it past Bluff +to aspire to knocking over a panther if the chance ever came his way. + +"Huh! I hope he is lucky enough to get a fatal shot in, then; for one of +those gentry is apt to maul a fellow good and hard if only wounded. +Billy has been telling of some fierce times he's had with the beasts. +His arms are all scarred up from deep cuts made by the claws of a +panther years ago," remarked Jerry. + +"Whew! Hear what he says? will you?" remarked Frank. + +"Why, yes, kid," observed the old cowboy, in answer to a question Bluff +had put, "sometimes I've knowed 'em to jump into a camp and snatch the +meat right from under the nose of a feller. Let a painter git good an' +hungry, an' he ain't afraid of anythin' but fire. Then, ag'in, I've +knowed 'em to act as cowardly as coyotes. I kinder reckon the season has +considerable to do with their actin'." + +"But that was only one man. The beast wouldn't dare jump in a camp like +this, no matter how hungry he might be?" continued Bluff, who seemed +strangely interested in the subject, Frank thought. + +The old cowpuncher laughed as though amused. + +"That's somethin' I'd hate to commit myself on, younker. All I say is a +painter ain't to be depended on. He might prove a coward, like some +cats, and again you'd be fair astonished at his darin'. Long ago I made +up my mind never to give him more of a chance than I could help. It's +war to the knife between me and any such prowlin' critter. I can't git +my gun workin' too quick to please me when I sees the yaller eyes of a +painter hoverin' round my camp." + +"Are their eyes always yellow?" asked Bluff eagerly. + +"I reckons they are, kid; leastways all that I ever see was marked that +way," replied the cowboy, reaching out for a brand with which to light +the cigarette he had been rolling between his fingers, just as Reddy was +also doing at the time. + +"Like those yonder, do you mean?" said Bluff, pointing behind Billy, to +a point where the dense thicket came close to the border of the camp. + +Every eye was instantly turned in that direction. Frank himself was +thrilled when he discovered that there were twin glowing eyes among +those bushes, eyes that had all the attributes of the cat tribe. + +Various exclamations arose from the group. + +"By gum! It's a painter, sure as you live!" said Billy calmly. + +"Never heard of one so bold!" whispered Reddy hoarsely, feeling for the +weapon he usually carried attached to his belt. + +"Everybody sit quiet, and see what he means to do. He won't attack us, +but it may be you'll see him make a jump for the balance of that sheep +over yonder. The scent of the game has aroused his hunger. Look at him +raise his head to see!" + +Mr. Mabie spoke these words in a low but tense tone. He was more or less +excited by the strange actions of the prowling panther. + +"I reckon it's a mother, with hungry cubs near by. She's just bound to +get some grub for the kits, men or no men. Now, if you lie low, and +watch, I reckon you'll see something you never expected to see in your +born days." + +Billy sat there motionless. Only Frank saw the movement of Bluff when he +raised his rifle, and while he would have warned his chum against the +folly of firing, before he could frame words to carry his meaning, the +quick report came, causing a sensation among those around the fire. + +The crouching beast, infuriated by receiving a sudden, painful wound, +launched straight out, and landed in the midst of the campers! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE COWBOY GUIDE + + +Everybody was in motion at once. + +Some went over backward, regardless of appearances; others rolled aside, +bent upon placing some little distance between themselves and the +invader. Bluff was trying to work the mechanism of his gun in order to +secure a second shot, but as so often happens when the hunter is +excited, he failed to accomplish what should have been an easy change. + +The maddened panther had crouched again after landing close to the fire. +Perhaps what acted more than anything else to keep the beast from +leaping once more was the uncertainty of choosing among so many which he +should attack. If he only knew from whence had come that sting which had +given him such sudden agony there would have been no hesitation at all. + +One, however, did not join in the almost universal retreat. This man was +Reddy. He had been leaning forward at the time, as stated, about to +pick up a brand with which to light his cigarette. Some impulse urged +him to seize a flaming, heavy stick that stuck out of the fire, and make +a frantic attack upon the crouching panther. + +Frank never forgot that spectacle. The panther, with ears flattened +back, and fangs exposed, snarled and carried on just like a big house +cat when assailed by a small but saucy dog, striking out from time to +time, as though trying to reach the arm that wielded the cudgel. + +The flaming brand caused too much fear to allow of an attack. Still, the +ugly beast would not give way, and leap out of its perilous position. + +"Where's my gun?" At least three different shouts arose. + +"Get out of range there, kid!" bellowed Billy, who had drawn a heavy +revolver, and, on hands and knees, sought to get a line on the common +enemy. + +"But that's my panther!" cried the voice of Bluff. + +Frank saw him once more bring his rifle up to his shoulder. Although +hardly in a position to see what was going on, Will seemed to be +fumbling with something in a desperate fashion. The fellow, as usual, +was thinking only of what a grand thing it would be if he could only +get that scene for posterity to gaze upon. + +"I hope Bluff aims straight!" Frank was saying to himself, for he knew +there was more or less danger of the bullet doing some damage to one of +the campers who might happen to be on the other side, partly screened by +the brush. + +The crash of the gun followed. + +"Wow!" shouted Reddy, falling back as the panther tumbled over in his +direction, for he knew what damage those poisonous claws might do in the +dying agony of the beast. + +Then the rest of the scattered company appeared. Some crawled out from +the brush, others arose from flattening themselves on the ground, while +still another group made their exit from under the canvas of the tent +close by. + +The beast was writhing in its last hold on life. + +"That's my panther, I told you!" said Bluff, jumping to his feet, and +still holding on to his gun. + +He was as white as a ghost, but a fire shone in his eyes telling of the +spirit that had finally been aroused there. Jerry would soon have to +look to his laurels now. + +Mr. Mabie laughed as he patted Bluff on the back. + +"I reckon it is, youngster; but you took big chances that time. I'd +advise you to slow up a bit in the future, when shooting in the dark. +That impetuous nature will sure get you into more than one scrape, +otherwise," he said soberly. + +Bluff hung his head. He knew now that he had been too hasty, when there +were so many older campaigners than himself around; but the loss of that +elk had rankled in his heart, so that he could not resist the sudden +temptation to redeem his reputation. + +Jerry, for once, had nothing to say, at least to the successful one. He +bent over the dead panther, and examined it with curiosity. Will was +loudly lamenting the fact that once again he had found himself left in +the lurch. + +"You fellows move too fast," he declared. "Now, if Bluff hadn't put in +his oar, I was just about ready to shoot off a flashlight picture. Just +think what it would mean to see Reddy, here, banging that big cat over +the head with his torch! Oh! it's just too mean for any use! Everything +goes wrong just when I'm going to squeeze my bulb, and get the best +picture there ever was! Even a rotten old log has to go and break off +short--" + +"Hey, Will! Let up on that whining, won't you?" cried Jerry, just then, +fearful lest his secret was about to come out. + +Frank looked suspiciously at both his chums. Perhaps he may have +entertained a dim thought that there was something between them that +they did not want known; but other things soon put this out of his mind +for the time being. + +"We must keep an eye out the rest of the time we're here," said Billy, +after the company had settled down again around the fire. + +"Why?" asked Bluff, looking up from admiring the sleek fur of his prize. + +"The brutes often hunt in couples, you know. This was the mother, just +as I had an ijee, and she's got half-grown cubs around somewhere. If the +mate's near by he may give us a call sooner or later." + +Bluff's hand had stolen out toward his gun at these words. + +"Here! No more of that, my lad!" said Mr. Mabie. "You've had your fling, +and come out of it mighty lucky. Don't try it again while I'm around, +please. If any more uninvited visitors drop in, you leave them to the +rest of us." + +But there was no further alarm. During the night some of them declared +they heard strange cries off in the woods, which Mr. Mabie said must +have been the whining of the panther cubs, looking in vain for their +mother. + +Frank was distressed. + +"I hope they're really big enough to forage for themselves. If there's +anything I dislike it's to shoot bird or beast that has young depending +upon it. Perhaps the old male may look after them," he suggested. + +"Well," smiled Mr. Mabie, "I hardly think that will prove to be the +case; at least they don't, as a rule. But I've got an idea the cubs are +of a good size, and can find some means of subsisting. For my part, I +wouldn't care if every panther in the Northwest were rubbed out. I've no +love for the sly beasts. They've robbed me of more than one fine calf, I +can tell you." + +After breakfast a hunt was organized. + +"We ought to get an elk before leaving up here," said the stockman as +they prepared to go forth again in a squad; "and as this will be our +last day in camp by the falls, we must look sharp." + +"Then we make tracks to-morrow?" asked Frank. + +"Hardly that, since we go by water. You've seen the three bullboats +yonder. We send our tents and all other things around with the horses, +while we shoot the rapids, and enjoy the most exhilarating boat ride you +ever dreamed of. Just wait and see, boys. It will be something worth +while." + +After all, the stockman was unable to start out with them. He was +subject to attacks of rheumatism, due to his age, and many exposures in +the past. When one of these came on Mr. Mabie was unable to walk any +distance, and, unfortunately, he experienced such an attack that +morning. + +"Sorry, boys, but it can't be helped. Reddy, here, will have to take my +place. You don't need me, that's plain. Only don't be too reckless, now. +That's the fault with most youngsters," and he shook his head at Bluff, +who turned fiery red as his eyes fell upon the panther, which Billy was +skinning at that moment. + +Of course, Reddy was to act as guide to the party. He had been around +the vicinity a number of times. Besides, he knew the habits of the elk, +which used this valley for their feeding grounds, and if any one could +lead them to success in their hunt it was the young cowboy. + +Frank used to look at Reddy, and wonder if he had ever seen him before; +but as that was out of the question, he came to the belief that it was +simply a matter of resemblance. + +"Look there!" exclaimed the guide, before they had gone two hundred +steps from the camp, and pointing as he spoke. + +"What was it?" asked Jerry eagerly. + +"I saw a gray critter slinking away into that thicket!" + +"The panther's mate!" cried Bluff excitedly, as he fingered his gun. + +"I reckon it was; but we ain't lost no panther, and anyhow, this is a +hunt for elk meat. Come along, boys," remarked Reddy hastily. + +They tramped for half an hour steadily, going far beyond where Bluff had +had his strange adventure with the wounded elk. Will trailed along in +the rear, holding on to his beloved camera. The woods looked as though +the recent dry weather had seared the leaves more or less, but they +lacked the splendid gorgeous tints of autumn. + +More than once the others had to wait for the straggler, or else call to +him. He grew so interested in his surroundings, especially when trying +to get a view that particularly appealed to his fancy, that he was apt +to forget their mission entirely. + +Once he aroused himself to the fact that he could no longer see his +comrades, or catch a sound of their voices. This disagreeable idea +caused him to hurry, and no doubt he became less cautious in navigating +some of the various narrow paths, for before he realized that he had +started a small avalanche, he was caught up in its gathering swoop, and +found himself being carried swiftly down a rather steep declivity, +unable to stay his rush. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +IN THE RAPIDS + + +"Give him another call, Frank!" + +"That fellow beats all creation for lagging! I believe he'd rather snap +off his old camera than eat, any day. If he doesn't look out, that +panther may get--Glory to goodness! What's that, Reddy?" cried Jerry. + +"Sounds like a bit of an avalanche, though this here is a queer time of +year for that. Generally comes, you know, in snow time, or when the +rains arrive," was the cowboy's ready answer. + +"But--Will--he may have started it, and gone down into one of these +beastly holes!" observed Bluff uneasily. + +"Let's go back, fellows, and make sure," remarked Frank instantly. + +They retraced their steps, Reddy leading the way, and every one on the +lookout for any signs of an unusual happening. + +"There's where it fell, and it looks like quite a lot of stuff had gone +down the slope," said their guide presently. + +"Hello, Will! Will!" shouted Frank. + +"Well, I'm waiting for you," said a quiet voice close at hand. + +"Where in the world are you, pard?" burst out Jerry. + +"Oh, here," came the reply. + +"Ginger! I believe he's down the bank!" cried Bluff. + +"Just what he is! Come here, fellows! Did you ever see anything to beat +that? Talk to me about your lucky dogs! Here's one that takes the cake +every time!" sang out Jerry, as he thrust his head out beyond the edge +of the platform where the slope began. + +"Oh, I don't know. There have been cases where people have been saved +from all sorts of disasters by the fortunate presence of a rope. Chuck +us a loop, Reddy, will you, please?" said Will, and Jerry became as dumb +as an oyster. + +No wonder Frank laughed, even while he watched the cowboy dropping his +lariat down as the other so coolly requested. Will had slid some twenty +feet down the steep bank, along with the loose surface stuff, which +gathered force as it proceeded. Then a projecting stone had caught the +bag of his coat, and he was supported in this fashion by the stout +fabric. + +"What are you trying to do down there? Expect to cut me out of my job as +the cliff climber of the party?" asked Frank jokingly. + +"Not so that you'd notice. Thought I might get a better view down along +here. But first of all, save my precious camera, before I consent to +come up," answered Will, and he insisted upon fastening the same to the +dangling rope. + +Bluff saw his chance to get back at his chum for more than one indignity +along the same line that he had suffered in the past, so he called out: + +"Here, you! Just hold your horses! I'm going over yonder and strike you +off as you hang there. It will do to amuse the girls when we get home. +We don't often have a chance to bring the photographer into these +pictures. Now, here you are. Look pleasant! There! That job's done! Now +yank him up, fellows, and don't be too easy with him. He deserves a good +digging for scaring us so." + +But Will had suffered no material harm from his little slide. + +"Glad I stopped part way," he observed, looking down, "for it's quite +some distance to the bottom, and then those rocks would have bruised me +more than a little. Yes, I agree with Bluff, there; it's better to be +born lucky than rich." + +After that they saw to it that Will did not lag behind. He was not to be +trusted any more than could be helped. + +Reddy was as good as his word. He eventually brought them within sight +of several feeding elk. They carried out his further directions to the +letter, and were thus enabled to approach within easy gunshot of the +unsuspicious animals. + +A program had been arranged, and every one knew just what part in it he +was expected to play. Consequently, there was no confusion. Frank, Jerry +and Bluff had their chance to aim. To each was assigned a different +quarry, though after the first shot they were to fire as they pleased. + +"Ready?" whispered the master of ceremonies, after Will had performed +his little, necessary operation with his camera that would produce happy +results. + +"Yes," said Frank. + +"Ditto!" from Jerry. + +"Same here," came from Bluff. + +"Then go!" + +There followed a crash of firearms. Instantly confusion broke out among +the little herd of feeding elk. One was down, another went limping off, +to fall as Frank sent in a second hasty shot; while the balance fairly +flew off in their fright. + +"Hurrah!" shouted the hunters, as they saw that they had met with +splendid success, since two of the big animals had fallen to their guns. + +Bluff looked grimly disappointed. + +"I hit my buck, for I saw him go down on his knees," he asserted +moodily. + +"Oh, that ain't anything. An elk often runs off with several bad wounds. +I only hope he don't die in the woods somewhere," said Reddy, examining +the tracks of those that had escaped. + +"Will it pay us to follow them up and see if Bluff's buck fell?" asked +Frank, more to please his chum than because they needed the game. + +"Nope. The buck runs like he wasn't even hurt much. No ketchin' up with +them fellers after that riot call. We'd best pay attention to what we've +got, and return to camp," replied the guide; and Bluff shrugged his +shoulders, saying: + +"But I hit him, anyhow, I'll tell you that, fellows." + +Frank found that all Reddy meant to do was to hang the two elk up, after +they had cut some choice portions for immediate use. The other cowboys +would come with the horses, on their way down the river, on the morrow, +and secure the game. + +"We got fooled out of elk steaks once and don't mean to again, I tell +you," said Jerry, as he shouldered his portion of the load. + +So they returned to camp. + +"What's this?" said Mr. Mabie as they came filing in. "Back already, and +only out two hours? Got some meat, too, I see. That's good. Such +appetites as you boys are developing threaten to eat us out of house and +home soon, unless we eke out with game. Who cut up the elk?" + +"The boys all took a hand. They wanted to learn," smiled Reddy. + +"I kind of thought they had," nodded the stockman, who could easily see +that it was not the work of an experienced hand. + +Bluff failed to catch the twinkle of humor in the other's eyes. + +"Yes, and I could have made even a better job if I'd had the knife along +I foolishly went and left at home," he remarked disconsolately, whereat +Jerry, Will and Frank exchanged looks, and shrugged their shoulders, but +said nothing; for in a case of that kind words are useless. + +They were all very enthusiastic that night over the feast. The cook had +dutifully pounded the steaks before placing the same on the fire, so +that if they seemed tough it was not his fault. + +The meat, however, was sweet and tasty; and besides, with hunger serving +as the best-known sauce, who could complain? + +Bluff kept on the lookout for the mate of his panther, but if the old +fellow was prowling around he had more discretion than to show himself +while these hunters were near by. + +With the morning the camp was to be abandoned. Tents came down while +they were eating breakfast, and everything was packed away in as small a +compass as possible, for carrying on the backs of the pack horses, which +were brought in from the pen, or corral, where they had been kept all +this while, in charge of a guard. + +The three bullboats awaited the adventurous ones. These were of the type +much used in this far region of the Northwest, being fashioned of tough +hides of bulls, and impervious to water. + +Besides their guns, which were strapped to their backs, the voyagers +carried little or nothing. In case of an upset they did not stand to +worry over anything except saving their own lives. + +So they quitted the camp under the cataract, where they had spent +several very enjoyable days. + + [Illustration: IMMEDIATELY THE TWO ADVENTUROUS CRUISERS WERE IN THE + RAPIDS.--_Page 141_. + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_.] + +Swiftly they descended the stream for several miles. Then, according to +agreement, they hauled in at the head of the rapids for a little rest +and consultation before making the riffle. + +Will had declared his intention of going down the shore and taking up +his position about midway of the drop, so as to snap off the two +descending bullboats as they came flying along in the midst of the +churning water. Afterward he and Mr. Mabie would enter the last boat and +make the plunge. + +When he was ready, with his camera focused, he waved his arm as a +signal. Immediately one of the boats started forth, containing Bluff and +Reddy. When they got fully into the swirl the second craft appeared in +sight. + +Jerry sat in the bow of this, and Frank in the stern, the more +responsible position. Immediately the two adventurous cruisers were in +the rapids, and shooting down with incredible swiftness. + +The leading boat managed to pull through all right, for Reddy knew the +route; but disaster awaited that containing the two chums. Whether they +struck a half-submerged rock, and were capsized, or made a +miscalculation, and found themselves seized by the cross-current, no one +ever knew. + +"Look out!" shouted Jerry, and the next instant both he and Frank were +overboard, and trying to keep away from the threatening snags while they +went whirling down the rapids. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE NEW CAMP + + +"Well, how did you like it, Jerry?" + +"Talk to me about your shooting the whirlpool at Niagara in a barrel! +That was bad enough for me! I swallowed enough water to float a ship! +And here we are yet, each perched on a measly old slippery rock, in the +middle of the rapids. Say! tell me about that, will you, Frank? How are +we going to get ashore?" + +The situation was comical as well as tragical. Just as Jerry said, each +of the late inmates of the overturned bullboat, after being buffeted +about furiously for several minutes, had succeeded in wildly scrambling +on to an exposed rock. + +There in midstream they sat, dripping wet, and with the foaming water +surrounding them on all sides. In spite of his recent scare, Frank could +not help laughing. + +"What ails you? Perhaps you think I look funny?" exclaimed Jerry, who +had received a few bruises, and was not feeling quite as cheerful as +usual. + +"Well, if you could only see yourself just now, you couldn't help +laughing. Do you know you just put me in mind of that little god of good +luck, Billikin!" called Frank, and in spite of his soreness Jerry had to +grin in sympathy. + +"Well, all right, then; there are two of us, and I guess you look as +silly as I do. But there's that fellow, Will, getting his work in, as +usual. A nice pair of geese we'll look like in his book of martyrs." + +"Oh, that doesn't bother me one little bit just now. All I'm thinking +about is how under the sun we're going to get out of this pickle," said +Frank, sweeping his hand around, as if to call attention to the angry +water that leaped and boiled in a frenzy of eagerness to get at its +expected victims. + +"Can't swim to the shore, that's sure. I suppose we'll just have to slip +in again and make another turn of it. Thank goodness! the bottom of the +old rapids is in sight, and as Bluff and Reddy have picked up our boat +and the paddle, they could turn their hands at life saving when we came +bobbing along." + +"Hold on! Don't be rash, Jerry!" called Frank. + +"Well, have you got anything better to say about it--any bright scheme +to propose that offers to soften the blow?" demanded the other, pausing +in his movement toward slipping off his unstable seat. + +"I've just thought of something," answered Frank. + +"Good for you, then. I guess I'm too badly rattled just now, for once, +to do much thinking. What's the game, Frank?" + +"Why not let Reddy and his reliable old rope come into play again?" + +"Say! we'll have to beg or buy that clothesline from Reddy when we go +away from here, and hang it up in our clubroom, as the most valuable +asset we have. Without it what would become of us, eh? Talk about your +trained nurses! That fellow is a whole hospital to the tenderfoot crowd. +Call to him, please, and enlist his sympathy in the noble cause of +yanking us in out of the wet." + +So Frank did shout to the cowboy, who, having beached the two boats +below the rapids, was hurrying up the shore. Mr. Mabie, too, had joined +Will, so that presently the entire balance of the little party had +gathered opposite. + +Reddy entered into the game with spirit. He seemed to believe that these +tragic occurrences must have just happened to give him a chance to show +his skill in launching his rope. + +"Jerry first, please!" called Frank. + +"And why? Is it because I'm more valuable, or better-looking?" demanded +Jerry. + +"Oh, perhaps I want the pleasure of seeing how you look as you flounder +through the rapids; and then, again, I may pick up a few points as to +how _not_ to do it." + +"Tell me about that, will you! Some people have all the nerve!" shouted +Jerry, for the rushing water made so much noise that an ordinary call +could not have been heard. + +Nevertheless, he accepted the flying noose that came shooting straight +toward him, placed it under his arms, made sure that his gun was still +fast to his back, and then fearlessly dropped off his perch. + +There was considerable floundering on the part of the swimmer, much +straining among the others who manipulated the rope, after which Jerry +was assisted up the bank. His first act, after coughing up a lot of +water, was to shake his fist at the grinning Frank, and then call out: + +"Now you come on, and see how you like it!" + +Frank did not wait upon the order of his going. As soon as he had the +rope secured under his arms he slipped down into the foamy water, and +began to buffet the current like a water spaniel. + +After an exciting experience he, too, was drawn ashore, really none the +worse for his adventure. + +"Shake hands, Frank. You did nobly. I might have laughed, only I didn't +seem to have breath enough," said Jerry, but the look in his eyes told +how he had enjoyed seeing his chum passing through the same experience. + +A fire was made, so that the soaked ones might dry off. Meanwhile, Mr. +Mabie and Will succeeded in successfully shooting the rapids, though the +latter was wise enough to leave his precious camera in the care of +Bluff. + +As noon found them still there, they took a "snack" before resuming the +water journey. Below the fierce rapids the current was still swift, but +there were places where the stream widened, and here the scenery was +very fine, although the leaves looked more or less parched on account of +the scarcity of rain during the summer that was passing. + +An hour later, and they saw signs of smoke below. + +"The boys have arrived ahead of us," said Mr. Mabie, pointing to the +wreaths that ascended above the trees. + +"All on account of our mishap. We lost three hours that way," remarked +Frank, who felt a little provoked over the accident, since he aspired +to be a capable canoeman at all times. + +"Those things will happen to the best of guides at times," consoled the +stockman. "I've often been in the drink myself. There are some +cross-currents in our rapids, that one can only learn by experience. I +rather expected you would go over, and instructed Reddy to be on the +watch below." + +"I wager I wouldn't get caught in that same way again, sir," asserted +Frank. + +"And I'm sure you wouldn't, lad. Experience is the best teacher, and if +we didn't have some of these bad turns we'd grow too confident." + +The camp was soon looking quite cozy again, when the tents had been +placed and everything made snug. + +"I'm going to like this place almost as well as the one under the +cascade," remarked Will, who had been rather skeptical all along. + +So the first evening came along, and supper was the same hearty, +enjoyable meal they had always found it. The camp appetites worked +overtime, the coffee tasted splendid, the elk steaks were just what each +one had been hungering for, and as the cook supplemented these with a +heaping platter of flapjacks the contentment of the four chums seemed +complete. + +"How long do we stay here, Mr. Mabie?" asked Bluff, never hesitating +when in search of information. + +"Possibly a week or so. Then back to the ranch, and a new line of +experiences. This terribly dry weather is making me anxious, for the +range is drying up, and we shall be hard set to find pasture for the +cattle soon, unless rain comes along." + +"Do you have such a dry spell in summer often up here?" asked Frank. + +"Never saw the equal of this since I settled in the valley, many years +ago. Now, down in Ohio, where I originally came from, they have drouths +even in May, at times, and I've seen things go to the dogs more than +once, gardens dried up, and even a forest fire in July, but never up +here," replied the stockman. + +"The woods look as though it wouldn't take a great deal to set them +going," declared Frank. "One of the men threw a match down to-day, after +lighting his cigarette, and it seemed like magic the way the fire +flashed up. He had to be quick to jump on it before the breeze carried +it along." + +Mr. Mabie frowned. + +"I won't ask you which man it was, Frank; but I must warn them again to +be more than ordinarily careful about throwing matches around and +leaving a fire burning anywhere in the woods. Many a grand forest has +been ruined by such carelessness," he said. + +"How does that happen, sir?" inquired Bluff. + +"It is easy. The careless hunter or trapper leaves his dying fire when +he breaks camp. Then up comes a sudden wind and some of the red cinders +are blown into the dead leaves or punk grass. Fanned by the breeze, they +become a roaring flame in a minute, and the mischief is done. Be +careful, boys, please." + +"We certainly will, sir," replied Frank sincerely. "Not to speak of the +damage done, it must be mighty unpleasant to be caught in a forest fire. +I've read of such things, but never hankered for a personal experience." + +On the following day they started to look into the possibilities for big +game around the new camp. + +"Reddy, here, says he knows of a bear den that we ought to visit some +time later. While at it, you boys must see all there is going in the way +of sport, for you may never come out this way again, though I hope that +will not be the case. To-day, however, we will take things a bit easy," +remarked the ranchman. + +Although the stockman did not speak any plainer, Frank knew just what +he meant. + +"He thinks we must be feeling the effects of our little excitement +yesterday, Jerry, and that the soreness in our muscles will take our +ambition away for to-day," he said aside to his chum. + +"Tell me about that, will you! To prove that we're tougher than Mr. +Mabie thinks, let's you and I engineer a little hunt of our own?" +proposed the other quickly. + +Accordingly, they started out, going down the valley. + +"The walk will do us good, anyhow," declared Frank, "even if we don't +run across any big game." + +"I was asking Mr. Mabie about moose, and he said that occasionally one +is seen in this region, though generally they hang out further east. +I've always wanted to get a moose, but was never able to be up in the +woods where they are found, when the law was off. How about you, Frank? +Ever shoot at one?" + +"Never had that luck, though I've seen many in the summer time, in +Maine. Somehow, it seems to go against the grain doing this hunting at +such a queer time. I guess it won't be long before they have as strict +laws up here as we have to protect such game as deer and elk." + +"How about panthers and grizzlies?" asked Jerry. + +"They don't want to protect those fellows. You've got a right to knock +one over, or a wolf, any time you want, if he doesn't get you first," +laughed Frank. + +An hour later they separated, Frank to look along one ridge, while Jerry +had taken a notion to see what the other might have in the shape of +game. + +Frank spent quite a long time scouring the woods that covered the side +of the valley. He had not put up anything worth while, and was even +thinking about heading back to the place where he had agreed to meet his +chum, when a distressing little accident occurred. + +Just as he was hurrying down a steep bank his foot caught in a vine, and +he was hurled forward with such violence that his head, coming in +contact with the hard ground, received such a blow that he was rendered +unconscious. + +Frank never knew just how long he remained insensible. It might have +been only a few minutes, or perhaps half an hour slipped by while he lay +there. When he finally opened his eyes he looked up into a dusky face, +and realized that it belonged to an Indian! + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AT THE CAMPFIRE OF THE CREES + + +Frank was not at all alarmed. In the first place, he had been assured by +Mr. Mabie that these Crees were not inclined to be hostile. Then, again, +he saw that it was no fierce face of a warrior that bent over him, but +the pitying one of a child. + +"Hello! Who are you?" he asked, a little weakly, for his head was still +swimming more or less from his shock. + +"Little Mink," came the reply, though the boy apparently had to nerve +himself to keep from running away. + +"And you found me knocked out, did you? What are you doing here, Little +Mink?" Frank sat up as he spoke, though he realized that he would be +unsteady on his feet when he tried to stand. + +"Teepee down by river, not far off. Little Mink have snare for rabbit. +Him go see if ketch one, find paleface here. Think dead, then him open +eyes. Good!" + +Frank was amused at the air of the little fellow. He knew something +about the ways of civilized Indians, having been among them in Maine, +hence he could see that this boy was endeavoring to ape the manners of +his elders. + +"Would you help me get down to your camp, Little Mink? I feel weak after +my tumble, and my own camp is far away," he said. + +Now, Frank knew very well that a loud shout would, in all probability, +have fetched Jerry to the spot. He had an object in making this appeal +to the Indian lad, and watched his dusky face closely as the other +considered the proposal. + +Perhaps Frank, fearing a refusal, may have put on more agony than the +state of his feelings really warranted. At any rate, he succeeded in +swerving the boy from a condition of caution to that of sympathy. + +"Little Mink help. Him lead paleface to teepee," he said, and the look +that accompanied the words told Frank as plainly as words could have +done that the boy was trusting in his honor not to betray them. + +Accordingly, he hung on to the lad, and in this fashion they went for +half a mile or so, when the river was reached. Presently Frank +discovered signs of a camp not far in the distance. A little pale smoke +was rising over the thicket, and he also saw a conical skin teepee, +while on the shore were three bullboats. + +As Little Mink came into camp, assisting the white hunter, several +squaws began an excited jabber that brought out a couple of bucks. + +"A hungry-looking lot all around," was the mental comment of the young +hunter. + +He had seen that Little Mink did not look as though he had enjoyed a +bountiful share of food lately, and the rest of the party were certainly +no better off. + +One of the bucks was an old man, yet he seemed to have a certain dignity +about him. Frank's curiosity was now greater than ever. He made up his +mind that there was something singular about this party of Crees who +seemed to be wandering in the wilderness without guns, or any means for +obtaining food, and, if possible, he meant to discover what the secret +could be. + +The old Indian approached, looking suspiciously at him. Frank put out +his hand at once in a cordial manner. + +"How!" he said, smiling in his engaging manner. + +The other at once fell under the charm of Frank's smile. + +"White boy much hurt?" he asked, looking at the dirt and blood on +Frank's left hand, where he had cut himself slightly. + +"No. I had a bad fall, and feel weak. Little Mink found me lying there, +and let me come with him to your camp. I have friends above, a hunting +party under the charge of Mr. Mabie, the stockman." + +He saw the old fellow move uneasily at mention of the name. + +"Shoot elk?" asked the other, nodding. + +"Yes, sometimes, with gun," and Frank purposely held up his repeating +rifle. + +He saw the black eyes glitter enviously at sight of it, which made his +curiosity only the stronger. + +"Bad! bad!" muttered the Indian, though he did not explain what he +meant; but Frank believed he must be thinking of the theft of the elk +some days previous. + +"You no guns here?" he asked, and the old Indian shook his head sadly, +though a look of sudden anger also flitted across his strong face. + +"Nothing, only hatchet and one knife. Take all else away when send us +out from village. No care if squaw and pappoose die from hunger. Bad! +bad! But some day p'raps Running Elk go back and make change. Wait! +wait! No sleep on trail!" + +Already was Frank beginning to see behind the mystery. For some cause +this old brave and his immediate family had been chased out of the Cree +village, many miles to the northwest. Deprived of weapons, they had been +started on the river in the bullboats, to meet what fate had in store +for them. + +No wonder, then, that coming unexpectedly on the dead elk Bluff had +shot, they had stolen it, for hunger stalked in their miserable camp, +and the pappooses cried for the food the braves could not supply. + +The only thing that still puzzled Frank was why they had not appealed to +some of the whites. But there must be some good reason, he argued, for +this. Perhaps it was only the natural pride an Indian feels, and which +prevents him from admitting to the palefaces that he is helpless to +supply the wants of his people. + +"Name Frank," he said, touching his breast "What call you?" + +"Running Elk, chief among Crees. Long he lead them in the hunt and in +battle. But a serpent come among my people and poison all against +Running Elk. Now they think the half-breed Pierre La Motte best man to +follow. Him talk, talk, all time, and warriors dream. Some day they wake +up and know him for bad man. Then p'raps they ask Running Elk come back +again. Wait, see!" + +That was the Indian idea of patience. Frank could understand it all now. +Plainly, a smart half-breed had managed to hypnotize the braves in the +Cree village, and influence them to turn against their own chief. When +he and his family resisted they were ignominiously exiled, and sent +forth to face the world without means for providing food for the squaws +and pappooses. + +Somehow, Frank felt a strong sense of sympathy for the old exiled chief. + +"You see the rancher, Mr. Mabie. I think he can do something for you," +he said. + +"I know him. He no like Running Elk and the Crees. Once they take some +cattle that stampede and wander far away. Never forget or forgive that +wrong. Better not see rancher. Go on down river soon, sell few pelts, +and buy gun. Mebbe all right." + +"No! no! Don't be in a hurry. I'm sure Mr. Mabie won't hold that old +grudge against you now, and he's a good man. He will give you gun and +powder. Wait and see." + +Half an hour later, as he was sitting there, with a rude bandage around +his throbbing head, and talking with Little Mink, who had taken a great +fancy for the paleface hunter who owned the beautiful gun, Frank heard +a startled exclamation from the border of the thicket near by. + +"Hello, there, Jerry! Come in and get acquainted!" he cried out, as his +eyes fell upon the astonished face of his chum thrust from the scrub. + +"Talk to me about surprises! What could equal this? Here, after getting +the scare of my life, thinking my chum had been carried off by the +redskins, I find him hobnobbing with them in their camp. Sure they ain't +dangerous, Frank?" asked Jerry, advancing cautiously, with his gun held +ready. + +"As mild as an old lady's cup of tea. Wouldn't hurt a fly. Sit down, and +I'll tell you all about them," said Frank. + +"First, I want to know are you hurt much? I happened on where you fell, +and just imagine my alarm when I saw the print of little moccasins. Why, +I was sure some frisky red had knocked you over the head with a warclub, +and then toted you off to be burned at the stake. I followed as well as +I could, bent on rescuing you at the peril of my life, to meet up with a +reception like this." + +Frank was compelled to laugh at the look of evident disgust that came +over the countenance of his comrade. + +But when Jerry had heard all his chum knew concerning the little band +of wandering Crees, his generous heart was stirred at the thought of +their wrongs. + +"That greedy half-breed ought to be made to walk the plank, that's what! +Just to think of the nerve of him chasing the genuine dyed-in-the-wool +chief out into the cold and taking his place! Why, he's a usurper, +that's the truth! And look here, Frank, didn't you hear what Mr. Mabie +said about a fellow named Pierre La Motte?" + +"I must have been away at the time. What did he say?" asked Frank +eagerly. + +"Why, there was a detachment of the sheriff's posse at the ranch house +just before we came, looking for that same fellow. Seems that he's +wanted badly for something or other." + +"Hurrah! That's just what I was hoping would happen. We can put them +wise about Pierre, and they'll go after him. Then, perhaps, as old +Running Elk says, when the man with the smooth tongue has gone away +forever, the Crees will send and beg their chief to return, and forgive +the past. It's all right! I'll bring him here to see you." + +But Running Elk had already learned that another stranger was in camp, +and even then he was approaching, looking considerably embarrassed, for +he feared it might be Mr. Mabie himself. + +However, he was soon set at his ease. What Frank had to say about the +bad half-breed also gave him new pleasure. + +"Not wait long now," he said, nodding his head sagely, while his beady +eyes fairly glittered with satisfaction, as in imagination he saw his +hated foe being taken away from the Cree village by the much-feared +sheriff's posse. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AN INVITATION TO COME OUT + + +"About time those boys were showing up, eh, Bluff?" + +"There they come now, Mr. Mabie, and--Jerusalem!" + +"What ails you now?" asked the stockman, coming out of the tent. + +"They've got an old Indian in tow, as sure as you live!" cried Bluff. + +"Where is he? I've just been wanting to get an Indian picture the worst +way. Show him to me, please!" And Will came crawling hastily forth, of +course clutching his beloved camera in his hand. + +"H'm! I guess I know that old buck. It's Running Elk, the chief of the +Crees. Something must have happened out of the usual order," said the +ranchman. + +When he learned what Frank had to say Mr. Mabie proved himself just such +a man as the others had believed him to be. He advanced to the Indian, +who was standing there in stoical silence, with his blanket thrown over +his shoulder, and held out his hand. + +"I'm glad to meet you again, Running Elk, and sorry to hear about your +trouble. But it will soon be all right. I'll see to it that the +authorities learn about Pierre, and they'll get him before long. In the +meantime, I'm going to give you a letter to my foreman. You take your +little party to the ranch, and they'll see to it that you have plenty to +eat until I come back home," he said. + +The chief shook his head sadly. + +"Bad! bad! Young braves no think when kill runaway steers. Never more +can happen after this. Send skins to pay when get um. Glad get meat for +squaw and pappoose." + +That was the extent of his remarks. + +"I guess Injuns ain't got much of a supply of words," remarked Will +aside to Bluff. + +"But he means all right. I like the old chap's looks. Come along, Frank, +and tell us all about it. You look like you've been in a fight. Say! the +reds didn't tackle you, did they?" exclaimed Bluff. + +"One did; a little chap about hip-high. Ho was out trying to snare a +jack-rabbit, when he found me. I'd taken a header down over a root, and +was lying in a state where I didn't care whether school kept or not. He +led me to their camp, and Jerry found me there later. That's all of it +in a nutshell. Now I'm going to have Mr. Mabie wrap up my hand and take +a look at my head, for it still rings." + +After an examination, the ranchman declared that there was nothing +serious the matter. + +"It may take a few days for that lump to subside, and these cuts to +heal, but you came out of it better than an old fellow like me could +have done," he said, and Frank felt relieved. + +"What are you going to do with Running Elk?" he asked. + +"Send him back to his people with some food. Then he will carry this +letter to my foreman, who will look after the party until we get back. +After that I'll see to it that Pierre is taken care of and the chief +recalled to his own." + +"I knew you would. I told the old fellow that, but he was sore afraid +that you could never forgive what his young braves had done a year or +two ago." + +The old Cree chief soon departed, with a grin on his face, and his arms +full of bundles. He might have been proud, but there were hungry mouths +to feed, and for their sakes he must forget that he should die sooner +than beg favors. + +Frank felt rather stiff and sore on the following day. He was satisfied +to hang about camp, and let his chums do the hunting, for once. + +Jerry could not be restrained, for his sporting blood demanded that he +keep going all the while. Will was just as eager to do his style of +shooting, and even wandered down the river to get a view of the Cree +teepee before the family of Running Elk broke camp. + +Bluff took a notion to try fishing, and with considerable success. Later +in the day Frank also wet a line, and between them they managed to +secure a decent mess of fat trout for the whole party. + +When Jerry came in he reported that he had had a shot at an elk, but +failed to stop his flight. He also declared that he had seen what he +believed to be a wolf skulking through the timber. + +"Oh, I don't doubt it," said the old stockman, when Frank looked +questioningly at him. "The pesky critters like to hang around here, +looking for a nice calf that happens to stray away from its mammy's +side. Winter and summer, it's all the same to them, so long as we don't +get after the pack too hot. Never lose a chance to knock over a wolf, my +boy." + +"I never mean to," said Jerry, holding up a piece of gray fur. + +"That's wolf, all right; and look here, what did you do to him?" +demanded Mr. Mabie. + +"I was very kind to the scamp, and hung him up in a tree, where the rest +of his tribe couldn't get at him to tear his hide to pieces. You see, I +had a notion that I'd like to have that skin for a rug, and that later +on, perhaps, one of the boys might go out with me and remove it much +better than I could," grinned Jerry. + +"Thank you, my lad. I feel that you've done me a favor. Every wolf that +goes across the Great Divide means more calves to grow up; and you shall +have your rug, I pledge you my word." + +Mr. Mabie shook the hand of the successful wolf hunter with emphasis, +showing that he felt deeply on the subject. + +Just as he expected, Frank was still rather sore on the following day. +He let the others do the hunting that morning, Will tagging behind the +bunch with his ready camera. + +They came in at noon, having covered some new ground, and brought the +best part of an elk with them. Mr. Mabie laughed, and wished it might +have been an antelope instead. He was not partial to elk meat, which was +perhaps natural in a stockman, who could kill young beef whenever the +spirit moved. + +"How about that bear den, Reddy?" asked Jerry, as they lounged about the +camp in the early afternoon. + +"Any time you say the word. I was only waitin' till Frank felt himself +again," was the other's reply. + +"Oh, don't let my condition keep you from that little entertainment. +Besides, I feel much better now. Perhaps a little excitement might put +me in just the right kind of trim," declared that individual promptly. + +"Hear! hear!" exclaimed Bluff, making a pretense of clapping his hands. + +"Talk to me about your dyed-in-the-wool sportsman! Frank, here, could +give any fellow points," declared Jerry. + +"I understand the principle he works on. It's the same as what they call +homoepathy, that 'like cures like.' I've seen a man, when struck by a +rattler, chase the reptile, kill him, and apply his crushed body to the +wound, in the belief that one poison would counteract the other," said +the stockman. + +"Did it succeed?" asked Jerry, eager for information along these lines. + +"Well," said Mr. Mabie, "the poor chap died, I'm sorry to say. In +another case, the fellow insisted on filling himself up with whiskey. He +lived through it, too, which proved the rule, though I believe there are +better things to save a man than liquor. But Frank has the right idea. +The excitement of the chase will cause him to forget, and take some of +the stiffness out of his joints." + +"Then we go this afternoon?" queried Reddy anxiously. + +"Whenever you're ready," answered Frank. + +They set out within half an hour. Of course, the whole four chums +insisted on being in the party. Besides, there were the guide, Mr. Mabie +and Billy. Each of the cowboys carried his rope, for of late it had +seemed as though a lariat might be a very necessary accompaniment to +these side hunts. + +They headed in a quarter where, as yet, none of the boys had been. This +led them directly into the thickets that lay at the base of the mountain +barrier, stretching away up against the blue heavens. + +None of the chums had forgotten the fierce appearance of the grizzly +that had fallen before the rifle which Jerry wielded so cleverly. + +"Remember, lads," said Mr. Mabie, as they trailed along through rocky +gulches, "every Mountain Charlie isn't going to keel over as easily as +the one Jerry got. He was lucky to send his lead to a vital point. I've +seen veteran hunters shoot a bear a dozen times, and then have to finish +him with a knife." + +"I've always read that they can stand a tremendous amount of shooting +without caving under," admitted Frank. + +"And it isn't considered at all disgraceful, when stirring such a +terrible monster out of his den, for the hunters to post themselves in +trees near by. While at first blush such a procedure might seem silly or +cowardly to you, take an old hunter's advice, and give the rascal no +more chance than you can help. Even then I've known him to shake a +fellow out of a small tree, and only for the assistance of the others he +must have killed the youngster." + +"A grizzly can't climb a tree, then, sir?" questioned Will uneasily. + +"Not ordinarily. He might manage to swarm up if the trunk was inclined +about forty-five degrees. Select straight ones, and of some size; then +you're safe." + +"Thank you, Mr. Mabie. I'll follow your advice. You see, I'm only the +photographer of the club, and they could hardly afford to lose me," +remarked Will, thinking some sort of an apology might be necessary for +his seeming timidity. + +But the others did not laugh. They knew their chum too well for that. He +had proven more than once that when it came to a pinch he could conquer +his natural weakness, and show the right spirit of bravery, especially +if it were one of his comrades who was in peril. + +"Well," remarked Reddy a short time later, "we're close to the place +now." + +"I imagined as much," said Mr. Mabie, with a significant look around. + +"You mean that this is an ideal spot for a grizzly to have his den?" +asked Jerry. + +"Fine. Look at the tumbled-down rocks, making many a cave that affords +shelter from the elements, winter and summer. Then, of course, the old +rascal has a nice short cut through some canyon to the open country. He +uses that when he feels sharp set for veal. Oh, yes, I've no doubt he's +been the cause of many a calf disappearing from the herd," said the +stockman between his teeth. + +"I don't wonder, then, you are so keen at wanting to get rid of all such +neighbors as grizzlies, panthers and wolves. They make an expensive +boarding-house," laughed Bluff. + +"They take their toll right along. This region would be a paradise for +a stockman only for that. The grass is heavy, and while the winters are +severe, we know how to carry our stock over; but we can never calculate +our profits, because of the losses on account of hungry wild beasts." + +"Then I'm glad we came here to get our taste of big-game shooting, for +it will not only be fun for us, but a benefit to civilization," remarked +Bluff, who, being in training to succeed his lawyer father, often liked +to indulge in imposing sentences. + +"Now look over yonder to where that cleft yawns," said Reddy at this +juncture. + +"I see it; and is that the den?" asked Jerry. + +"Sure as you live. You fellows be choosing your trees, and let me take a +peek." + +"He isn't going in, I hope!" exclaimed Will as the cowboy moved away. + +"Well, hardly. Reddy doesn't want to commit suicide just yet. He's only +going to make sure the old chap is at home, then he'll make preparations +to smoke him out." + +As Mr. Mabie said, Reddy was soon back, and from his actions it was +positive the bear was at home. He began collecting dry wood and all +manner of material calculated to make a big smoke. The boys knew +something about such a scheme themselves, and were deeply interested. + +Mr. Mabie insisted that each one seek an asylum in the branches of a +tree that commanded the black cleft. Presently, Reddy had his pile of +wood and brush ready, and he put a match to it, after which he beat a +hasty retreat, climbing into the tree with Frank. + +"Listen!" he said presently. + +Frank could hear a sound like sneezing. This was followed by a +scrambling noise that arose above the crackling of the fire. Then came a +terrific roar, succeeded by a sudden scattering of the brands, and the +enraged grizzly rushed into the open! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A STRANGE DISCLOSURE + + +"Hello, there, Charlie! How's your health?" + +Reddy swung himself down from the limb on which he had been perched, and +kicked out with his feet in such a way that he attracted the attention +of the beast. + +"He's coming! Look out, Frank!" shouted Will, who, secure in his perch, +had, of course, been manipulating his camera with burning zeal. + +Bang! + +It was Bluff who had fired, but if he hit the great beast at all, the +latter minded the wound no more than he would a flea bite. + +Jerry also took a turn as the grizzly passed the tree in which he was +hidden. + +"I hit him!" he whooped as the grizzly gave a snap backward at his +flank. + +But the enticement offered by Reddy's swinging form proved too much for +the enraged animal. Doubtless he imagined that all his troubles came +from that biped or monkey hanging up yonder, just within reach of his +claws if he arose on his hind legs. Hence his eagerness to make the +attempt. + +"Pull up, quick!" exclaimed Frank as the grizzly rushed under the tree +and immediately started to rear up. + +The daring cowboy had held out until the very last second, meaning that +nothing should balk his design of enticing the enemy under their refuge, +where Frank could get in his work. + +Afterward Frank understood his motive. Reddy was especially fond of him, +though he also liked all of the other chums. He believed that Jerry had +secured enough honors in being given the chance to knock over the other +bear, and it was his desire to see Frank even up the score. + +Just in the nick of time the cowboy swung his legs up around the limb. +The horrible claws of the grizzly swept through the air not a foot below +where he had hung. Frank shuddered at the consequences had anything +happened to bring Reddy within reach of such a powerful beast. + +"Now get him, Frank!" gasped the one who hung on with arms and legs. + +Neither Bluff nor Jerry thought to shoot a second time. They seemed to +understand that the game had passed them by, and that it was Frank's +turn. + +When he saw the right chance the young sportsman pulled the trigger. He +had not made any mistake in judging just where he should aim, for with +the report of his rifle the grizzly floundered, and fell over. + +"Wow! That did the business!" shouted Jerry. + +"Hold on, boys! Don't get down yet!" called Mr. Mabie hastily, as he +thought he detected a disposition on the part of either Bluff or Jerry +to drop from their secure perches to the ground. + +It was well they refrained, for already the monster was once more on his +feet, and, roaring with fury, endeavoring to reach the enemies who clung +there so tantalizingly, just beyond his extended claws. + +"Give him another!" cried Reddy promptly. + +Frank did; and wishing to end the beast as quickly as possible, he aimed +to send the lead straight to the heart. But he was compelled to use +every bullet in his six-shot repeater before the giant received his +quietus, and rolled over, to rise no more. + +Frank had a queer feeling as he dropped to the ground and stood over his +big game. Deep down in his heart he envied his chum, because Jerry had +been able to kill _his_ grizzly while the beast was charging him. + +"It may be all right," he said to Mr. Mabie, "and it's a good thing to +get rid of these savage animals in any old way, but I hope I don't take +part in another affair like this. He had no chance, poor old chap." + +The old rancher looked admiringly at the boy. + +"Those sentiments do you proud, lad, and I appreciate them, too; but +business, in my line, must go ahead of sentiment, and this old Charlie +was doing me a bad turn. My herds will rest easier now that he is gone," +he said feelingly. + +Leaving Billy and Reddy to secure the hide of the second grizzly, the +others returned to camp. Restless Jerry tried the fishing again, and as +before, success came his way. + +"I'd give something to have my little _Red Rover_ here, in that swift +water," sighed Bluff, as he and Frank sat on the edge of the bluff, +listening to the rush of the river while it sped on its way to the lower +country. + +"Well, a canoe might be fine for shooting downstream, but I don't +believe you'd find it as safe in the rapids as those hide boats. The +rocks can't smash in their sides, like cedar or canvas craft. Better to +do as the natives do, I find, whenever I go anywhere. They know by +experience what's best," returned Frank wisely. + +"Look there! A cowboy coming like the wind up the river, waving his hat +over his head! Say! d'ye suppose anything's gone wrong at the ranch, and +we'll have to cut our hunt short?" exclaimed Bluff anxiously. + +"Oh, I guess not. You see, those fellows are built that way. They never +can do anything without excitement. See! He's holding up something that +looks like a mail pouch," said Frank composedly. + +"Why, of course that's it! I heard Mr. Mabie say he expected mail +to-day, and, for one, I'll be mighty glad to hear from the folks," +sighed Bluff. + +"What? Not getting homesick already, I hope?" smiled his chum. + +"Certainly not, only a fellow naturally likes to hear from his mom and +dad when he's away so far," declared Bluff stoutly. + +"Yes, and also from some other fellow's sister, in the bargain. Nellie +never finds time to write to me when I'm away, leaving all that to the +old folks; but I notice that you always manage to get a letter in her +handwriting." + +"Well, I made her solemnly promise to write every other day, you see," +explained Bluff, while he suddenly became red in the face, hurrying off +to get his mail. + +There were letters for all the boys. Jerry was called in from his +entrancing sport to receive his share, and Frank noticed that he, too, +had a sweet-looking missive in a schoolgirl hand. Of course, it must be +from Mame Crosby, for Jerry and she were great friends. + +"Here's something enclosed in my letter, and directed to Mr. Frank +Langdon. Does anybody know a fellow by that name?" asked Will, holding +up a delicate envelope that seemed to exhale a fragrance all its own. + +"And sealed, too! What a breach of etiquette!" jeered Jerry. + +"Now, _will_ you be good?" observed Bluff, glad of a chance to return +the favor. + +"That's all right. Possibly Violet wants to make some inquiries +concerning her twin brother, how he behaves, and if he has developed any +rash spirit calculated to get him into trouble. I remember telling her +that if she felt anxious just to drop me a line, and I'd answer." + +Frank unblushingly took the envelope from the extended fingers of Will. + +"Open it!" commanded Bluff. + +"You'll have to excuse me, fellows. That wouldn't be hardly fair to my +correspondent, you know. She expects me to keep her secrets." And Frank +coolly sauntered off as he spoke. + +Nor did he ever take them into his confidence with regard to what the +contents of that scented missive might be. Even Will was not told. +However, like most brothers, it can be said that he did not seem overly +anxious to learn. He had, perhaps, secrets of his own. + +Once again they were seated around the campfire. Supper had been, as +usual, a great success, and while the older members of the party smoked, +our boys amused themselves in various ways. + +Will was, of course, busy with his photographic outfit. His field +dark-room was a success, and he developed his films, and did all other +things necessary, with little or no trouble. Indeed, he had an apparatus +whereby he could carry on this operation successfully even in the +daytime; but he usually worked at night, because there was nothing else +going on then. + +The others had fallen into a conversation connected with their home +life. Reddy hovered near, listening, and Frank wondered why that wistful +look had come into the eyes of the young cowboy. Possibly he had a home +somewhere--perhaps memories of a mother or father had crowded into his +mind while the boys were talking of the sacred ties that bound them to +Centerville. + +Frank had always believed there must be something of a history attached +to Reddy's past. He had even hoped that some time the other might take +such a liking to him as to speak of his own folks. His manner gave Frank +the impression that the dashing cowboy might have had a new longing +spring up in his breast since their coming to the ranch, a desire to +once again visit the scenes of his boyhood. + +So, as they talked, referring to many of the events of the past, names +were often mentioned, and as a thought came to him, Frank happened to +say: + +"I wonder how Hank Brady is getting on with father's new car?" + +He saw the cowboy start and turn white. + +"Who's Hank Brady?" he asked, his voice trembling. + +"A fellow we met under strange circumstances. Hank was on the road to +the bad, but he got his eyes open just in time. Now he's our chauffeur, +and we think he's going to make good," replied Frank, watching the other +with sudden interest. + +"Huh! Did you ever hear anything about his family?" asked Reddy, trying +to act in a natural manner, but hardly succeeding very well. + +"Yes. He's got a father and mother who were mighty anxious about him." + +"And there's that good-for-nothing brother Ted he told you to keep your +eye out for up here!" broke in Bluff. + +"Yes; how about that, Frank? Have you ever asked about him?" exclaimed +Jerry. + +"No; but perhaps I'd better begin now. How about it, Reddy?" questioned +Frank. + +"You needn't go any further, for I can tell you all about that scalawag. +If you had asked Mr. Mabie, he'd have told you my name was Ted Brady," +was the astonishing reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +"WE MUST CUT AND RUN FOR IT!" + + +It was surprising to see the effect of the cowboy's announcement. + +Frank was in some measure prepared for it. He had entertained a sudden +suspicion as he noticed the emotion of the other. But his chums seemed +almost thunderstruck. + +"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, feebly waving his hands. + +"Did you ever hear of such luck?" ejaculated Will. + +"Beats a story all hollow. Here's the prodigal son found at last, eating +his dinner with the--" began Bluff, when Jerry pounced on him. + +"Don't you dare finish that, on your life! Of course, you can call +yourself swine, if you please, but I object. But is it really true, +Reddy? Are you Hank's long lost brother?" he asked, turning to the +other. + +"I certainly am, although I ought to be ashamed of the way I've treated +my folks. All for a measly little matter, too. My eyes have been openin' +lately, and I was mighty near headin' Eastways before you came," said +the cowboy, hanging his head. + +"Then perhaps you'll go back with us, and surprise the folks?" suggested +Frank eagerly. + +"Well, now, I'd like to do that same, if so be you fellows mean it. You +see, my folks ain't always lived in Centerville. I thought that lots of +things you talked about seemed kinder familiar to me, for I was brought +up in that part of the State. Yes, I'll go home, and try and make up for +what I done to hurt the old folks. Somehow, just the idea of it makes me +feel better." + +He eagerly questioned the boys about his people. Of course, they did not +have much news to tell him. Hank was only a year or so older than his +brother, and the absent one was very much interested in hearing how they +had met him, and what awakened Hank to a consciousness of the terrible +mistake he was making in associating with unscrupulous men. + +After that Reddy assumed a new place with the boys. He seemed to be +closer to them than ever, and Frank no longer wondered why the other's +sunburned face had seemed partly familiar to him when he first met him. + +"You and Hank are very much alike," he said, later on, to Reddy. + +"They used to say that at home. I was just big enough to be accused of +many of Hank's tricks, and once I got a lickin' he deserved." + +"And another thing," laughed Frank, "I know now what he was about to +tell me at the time I was dragged away by my folks. I was asking him how +I could ever recognize you, in case we met, and he put up his hand to +his head, but I never heard the rest of it." + +"Why, of course, he was going to tell you that I had a mop of beautiful +red hair, and that Teddy went with Reddy. I guess you'd have known me if +you'd heard that," was the good-natured remark of the found one. + +On the following day the four outdoor chums determined to set out in a +bunch to have a grand hunt, following the dense woods far down the +valley. The last words of the old stockman were a caution in connection +with the dry grass. + +"Be careful about a fire, lads. If you make one, be sure the last spark +is out before you leave it. A forest fire would play the mischief just +now, with everything so dry. But somehow, I've got hopes that the rain +is coming soon," and he looked into the west, as though the few +low-down clouds gave him encouragement. + +When noon came the boys had put up a couple of elk, but at such a +distance that no one but Bluff fired, and he because he knew no better. + +"Do you think I wounded him?" he had the nerve to ask, whereat Jerry +looked at Frank and just smiled broadly. + +"Anyhow, they ran off faster after I fired," asserted Bluff confidently. + +"I should think anything would," was all Jerry said, and if there was +malice in the remark Bluff did not know it in his innocence. + +While they sat down to eat the lunch they had carried along Frank called +attention to the fact that the wind had risen. + +"Perhaps Mr. Mabie was right, after all, and there is a rainstorm coming +before long," suggested Will. + +"Then I hope it'll have the decency to hold off until we get home," said +Bluff. + +"Oh, a little wetting wouldn't hurt us. We're not made of sugar or salt. +But perhaps we'd better not go any further. We've come a long way since +breakfast. This valley seems to have no end, and it broadens out down +here, too." + +"Yes; and, Frank, have you noticed how thick the trees grow, too? Why, +in some places a fat man would have trouble getting through between the +trunks," said Jerry. + +"What ails Frank? He seems to be sniffing the air like a hound," asked +Will. + +"Oh, he always declared he had a fine scent, and I've noticed that he +knows when dinner is ready, ahead of the rest of us," remarked Jerry. + +Frank laughed good-naturedly. + +"To tell the truth, I was wondering, fellows, whether we could be near +another camp," he remarked. + +"Did you hear anybody shout?" asked Will. + +"No; but when there came a sudden shift to the wind I thought I got a +scent of fire. No, it wasn't cooking, this time, Jerry, so don't get +ready to accuse me of that weakness again; just something burning." + +"Say! you don't think it could be the woods afire, do you?" + +"Talk to me about your ghost-seers, will you! Will, here, can jump on to +trouble quicker than any fellow I know. Why, if the woods were on fire, +don't you think we'd have found that fact out before now, Mr. Faint +Heart? I guess such a thing couldn't happen without a heap of smoke that +would look like a pall, and appal us, in the bargain." + +"Well, all I can say is, I'm not hankering after any forest fire +experience after what Mr. Mabie told us about those friends of his who +were nearly burned to death seven years ago; and that was a prairie +fire, too," observed Will, continuing to cast anxious glances around. + +"Amen to that," remarked Bluff. + +"Why, you must think I'm just wild to try my legs, with a healthy blaze +jumping after me; but I'm not, all the same. Come along, Lazy-bones! +We're going to have the delightful pleasure of covering those ten miles +back again," and Jerry pulled Will to his feet. + +"Ten miles!" groaned the other dismally, making a pretense of hobbling, +as if his muscles had given out. "How in the world can I ever do it?" + +"Well, sing out when you want to stop. We'll hang you up in a tree, safe +and sound, just as I did that wolf I got; and later on one of the boys +can come for you with a horse," was Jerry's cheerful remark. + +"Oh, I'd hate to put you to any additional trouble, so I'll try my best +to limp along," replied Will, who, of course, was only shamming, in that +he was not half so tired as he tried to make out. + +So they turned their faces toward the home camp, and started trudging +along, now and then calling to one another as something caught their +fancy. + +Will had had little opportunity to make use of his picture-taking +machine this trip. His stock of films was beginning to run low, and only +special subjects must claim his attention from now on. Besides, he had +several views of the great woods, and the light was so poor under the +trees that it required a time exposure to bring out the details. + +"I think it's a mean shame none of you fellows think enough of me to get +up some sort of excitement, in order to let me snap you off," he was +saying as he tramped along. + +"Tell me about that, will you! The chap really thinks that it's our duty +to do all sorts of remarkable stunts, in order that he may have the +pleasure of snapping us off in ridiculous positions!" + +"Hear! hear! That was the finest speech I ever knew Jerry to put up. As +a rule, he leaves the heavy talk to me, and is satisfied to just grunt +out his ideas. But look here, Frank, I believe you were right," said +Bluff, stopping to elevate his nose in a significant fashion. + +"Oh! dear me! Do you smell smoke, too?" demanded Will. + +"Why, so do I, now that you mention it. And say! just cast your eyes +back of us, fellows! Don't it seem as though there was more or less +smoke in the woods over yonder?" asked Jerry. + +The four boys now showed sudden animation. + +"Hark to the wind, too! It's beginning to make a sound up there in the +tree-tops. Which way is it coming, Frank?" asked Will. + +Frank's face began to assume a serious look. The wind was fairly growing +stronger with every passing minute. If the woods should be afire, this +would whip the flames furiously, and send them speeding along at a +dangerous pace. + +"It begins to look bad for us, boys," he remarked. + +"What! Do you really mean it, or are you just trying to play a joke?" + +"You know me better than that, Will. There is certainly a brush fire +back there. Some camper has left his fire, and the rising wind has +carried it into the dead leaves," said Frank soberly, surveying his +surroundings. + +"Could we push forward and put it out before it does any damage?" asked +Bluff. + +"I'm afraid it's too late for that now. See there! The smoke is getting +thicker and thicker all the time. Boys, we might as well look the matter +straight in the face." + +"What do you mean, Frank?" asked Will in a trembling voice. + +"We must cut and run for it, that's all, for the fire is coming +swiftly!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +NEVER GIVE UP + + +At first, the boys made light of the flight. All of them were pretty +fair runners, and although the weather was warm for such exertion, they +did some clever work. + +"It's getting worse back there!" said Will, who brought up the rear. + +Frank had known this for several minutes, and was correspondingly +worried. + +The wind had risen to such an extent that it rushed through the +tree-tops like an express train, making a doleful sound. Nor was this +all, for they could plainly hear a crackling from the rear that was +gradually becoming a subdued roar. + +"Oh! I saw the fire then!" called Will a minute or two later. + +Looking over their shoulders as they ran, all of them had glimpses of +the flames leaping hungrily upward. What Mr. Mabie had feared all along +had actually come to pass. All of them were glad, however, that it had +not been through any fault of theirs, since they had built no fire that +day. + +"Frank, it's catching up with us! Whatever shall we do?" panted Bluff, +close beside the one he addressed. + +Frank had been considering this same question. He at first thought they +might outrun the fire, but now he changed his mind. The woods were so +dense, and the vegetation so thick, that whenever they tried to make +fast time they kept tripping over trailing vines, or else banging up +against the trunks of the forest monarchs, sometimes damaging their +noses by the contact. + +"What was he telling us about fighting fire with fire?" asked Jerry, who +was by this time feeling not quite so jaunty as usual, but ready to +seize upon any opening that promised safety. + +"That was out on the prairie. I don't think the scheme would work here +in the woods. It would take too long for the second blaze to get a +start, and we'd be caught between the two fires," was Frank's reply. + +"But we must do something pretty soon!" cried Will. + + [Illustration: "FRANK, IT'S CATCHING UP WITH US!"--_Page 192_. + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_.] + +Indeed, it would appear so. They were now enveloped in a pall of +smoke, that, entering their eyes, made them smart fiercely. Not only +that, but the fire could be seen in a dozen places behind them, leaping +up into the trees as the dried foliage offered such a splendid torch, +and the wind urged the conflagration along. + +"Will's right. The old thing's running us neck and crop. I believe it's +gaining on us right along!" exclaimed Bluff. + +"Look for a hollow tree!" cried Jerry. + +"Humbug! Just because you once got in one during a storm you think a +hollow tree can be used for nearly anything. Why, we'd be smothered in a +jiffy, even if we didn't get burned to a crisp! Say something else!" +shouted Bluff. + +"What is it, Frank--you know?" demanded Will, who, in this time of need, +somehow turned to the one whose cool head had many times managed to +extricate them from some impending danger. + +"We've just _got_ to head another way, and try and get out of the path +of the fire, if we can. Besides, the river lies to the left," he +answered, as cheerily as he could. + +"The river! Hurrah!" shrieked Will in sudden elation, for the very +thought of water was a blessed relief when threatened by fire. + +"We can duck under, and save our bacon!" cried Jerry. + +"There you go, confessing to the swine again," declared Bluff. + +But in spite of their light words the boys were by this time thoroughly +alarmed. The appearance of the burning woods in their immediate rear was +appalling, to say the least. High sprang the flames, and their crackling +could now be plainly heard. Indeed, the sound began to assume the +proportions of a continuous roar, such as a long freight train might +make in passing over a trestle and down a grade. + +Now that they were running almost sidewise to the advancing fire, it +approached much faster than before. + +"I felt a spark on my face, fellows!" + +Frank was not at all surprised to hear Will say this, for he, too, had +experienced the same thing not half a minute before. He had not +mentioned the fact, for fear of alarming his chums still more. + +"Keep on, fellows!" was all he said, for he needed every bit of breath +he could muster. + +Desperately they tried to increase their pace, but found it hard work +with so many obstacles confronting them. Will tumbled more than any of +the others, somehow or other. Perhaps it was because he was carrying his +camera so carefully, and thinking more about it than his own person. + +Finally Frank missed him entirely. + +"Where's Will gone?" he demanded. + +The others, turning, were horrified to find their chum missing. + +"Keep right on, you fellows! Don't you dare stop, or follow me! I'll get +Will! The river's close by!" he called out, and then turned around, +retracing his steps directly toward the advancing fire. + +Never had Will seemed so precious in the sight of the boy who thus +placed his own life in jeopardy in order to save that of his chum. In +imagination Frank pictured his agony of mind if he had to tell Violet +that her twin brother had perished miserably in a forest fire, while he +escaped. + +"Will! Will!" he was shouting frantically, as loud as he could, and this +was not anything to boast of, for the smoke choked him, and he could +hardly keep from coughing almost constantly. + +"Hi! Here I am! Lost like the babes in the woods!" sang out a voice. + +Frank pounced on his friend, who, with smarting eyes, was fairly +staggering about, hardly knowing which way he was trying to go, having +become more or less rattled by the impending peril and the state of his +own feelings. + +"Run for all you're worth, Will!" he said, as he clutched the sleeve of +the other almost fiercely, for they had little chance of eluding those +hungry flames now. + +Together they rushed along, Frank's eyes doing double duty, for Will +seemed by this time half blind, and the one free hand was constantly +rubbing his smarting orbs. + +"A little further, and we're safe!" he kept calling in the ear of his +nearly exhausted chum. + +The heat was beginning to be terrific now. Blazing branches flew through +the air, and set trees on fire all around them. + +"It's like the fiery furnace!" Will said three times running, and Frank +really began to fear his companion's mind was getting unsettled from the +fright of their desperate condition. + +Oh! if the river would only show up ahead! No doubt the others had, ere +now, gained the glorious haven, and were settled up to their necks in +the water, ready to defy the power of the opposing element. But it was +an open question whether the halting pair could ever make the shelter of +the friendly stream. + +"Let me go, Frank! You can make it alone!" pleaded Will. + +"Shut up! Keep on running! I tell you we're going to get there, and +don't you think for a minute we ain't!" replied Frank furiously, as he +pulled Will along. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS + + +"This way, Frank! Turn a little to the left!" + +"That's Jerry shouting! Do you hear him, Will? Keep up your heart! We're +going to cheat the old fire yet!" cried Frank. + +His companion seemed to pluck a little new spirit from the encouraging +shout, and his lagging feet began to show more animation. In this way +they hurried out of the already burning forest, and found themselves on +the brink of the swift current of the valley stream. + +"Jump in! The water's fine!" shouted Jerry, who, with Bluff, had +submerged himself up to his shoulders. + +"But my camera! I can't ruin it in the water!" shouted the obstinate +Will, as he looked eagerly around for some place to conceal the object +which he held in so much reverence. + +"Under those rocks! We chucked our guns there!" called Bluff, pointing +out the spot, in his eagerness to help matters along. + +Will hastened to thrust the beloved camera into the cavity that lay +beneath the rocks, and Frank, nothing loth, also pushed his rifle into +the same place. Then it was ludicrous to see how quickly they made a +plunge into the river. + +Their immersion did not come a minute too soon. Frank knew that Will's +garments were on fire in several places, and did not doubt but that his +own must be in the same condition, for the sparks were raining all +around them. + +"This is all right," said the irrepressible Jerry, jumping up and down +as he tried to hold out against the strong current. + +"All I know is that we are in luck to have this blessed old river +handy," said Frank, with more or less feeling in his voice, as he +watched the fire flash from tree to tree in pursuing its course. + +"Yes, it's a queer world. Only a few days ago it came near ending my +life up at the cataract, and now it makes amends by saving it," remarked +Jerry. + +"The fire doesn't seem to jump across the river," observed Will. + +"No; and I don't think it will, unless the wind changes quickly," said +Frank. + +"But it seems bound to get to our camp inside of an hour or two. What +d'ye suppose they'll do with all the duffle?" inquired Bluff uneasily. + +"I'm not worried about that. Mr. Mabie will scent trouble a long way +off, and find a refuge among the rocks, if necessary; but I'm inclined +to think the fire will never get to him," replied Frank. + +"Do you believe the wind will shift, then, and blow back on us?" asked +Will. + +"I'm not a wind prophet. What I had in mind was that the fire would be +put out before it got three miles from here." + +"Put out! Do you mean to say they've a fire department up here?" +demanded Will. + +"Why, certainly; but it doesn't cost them a cent to maintain it. +Somebody just pulls the string, and the water comes down," laughed +Jerry. + +"Oh! I see now what you mean! It's going to rain!" + +"Hear! hear. He's tumbled to it at last! Sometimes it seems to me that +we'll just have to get out a special dictionary for Will, so he can find +the answers to conundrums without waste of time or energy," declared +Bluff. + +"That's the penalty every genius has to pay," remarked Will composedly. + +Every now and then the boys were compelled to duck their heads beneath +the surface of the river, for the heat became unbearable. When the worst +of the fire had gone by on the wings of the furious wind, things began +to change a bit for the better. + +"Say! don't you think we might be getting out of here now?" demanded +Will, whose teeth, strange to say, were rattling together with the chill +of the mountain stream even while the air was still heated around them. + +"I suppose it will be safe, and we can stand the heat if it will assist +to dry our clothes. Though for that matter, fellows, it's ten to one we +will be soaked through and through again before we get to camp." + +"This is mighty unhealthy, I think. Such rapid changes always encourage +dangerous ailments," remarked Will, whose father, now dead, had been a +physician. + +"All the same, I know several fellows who were very much pleased to make +a sudden change a little while back," asserted Jerry. + +They crawled out on the bank. Will, of course, made straight for the +rocky niche toward which he had cast many an anxious look while standing +in the river. + +"Good! Everything is all right, boys! Not a bit of damage done, that I +can see!" he called out. + +They kept close to the river in making their way along. Perhaps the main +idea in this was to have a handy refuge in case a sudden need arose. + +"There she comes!" remarked Bluff, in less than ten minutes. + +"What? Where?" asked Will, staring around. + +A deep bellow of near-by thunder answered him. Then the rain began to +fall in torrents. Will always carried a piece of waterproof cloth, to be +used for wrapping around his precious camera on occasions when it was +threatened with rain. This he brought into use, and at the same time +tried to keep the little black box sheltered as much as possible under +his coat. + +From one extreme they had jumped to the other. First it was a +superabundance of fire, and now water began to trouble them. + +"I'm soaked through again," announced Jerry dolefully, as he allowed the +wind to carry him along through the blackened timber. + +"And I just bet that old fire has been squashed out before this," +spluttered Bluff. "Don't you say so, Frank?" + +"If it hasn't, it soon will be. Did you ever see it come down harder?" + +"Must be trying to make up for the drouth of the last two months. Mr. +Mabie said that when it did come we'd likely get a drencher. We're +getting it, all right," declared Jerry. + +For another half hour they kept on, though the walking was very hard. + +"A fine-looking crowd we are," declared Frank, as he surveyed his +blackened leggings and sodden coat. + +"But it seems to me things don't look quite so bad around here," +observed Will. + +"Well, they don't, for a fact. Frank, we've reached the fire limit, I do +believe!" cried Bluff. + +Everybody was glad to know it, for many reasons. The walking would be +better, they could by degrees wash off the black stains that had been +covering their clothes, and last, but far from least, the camp would be +safe. + +"I'll never forget this day's experience, that's sure," Jerry was +saying, half an hour later, as, they still plodded on, with some miles +still ahead of them that must be gone over before they reached camp. + +"And every time I look at the picture of the fire it'll bob up before me +and make me shudder," remarked Will. + +"Talk to me about that, will you! Do you mean to say you had the nerve +to stop and snap off some views of that hot old fire while the rest of +us were shinning it as fast as we could?" demanded Jerry. + +"Why, of course I did! What do you take me for? Who else would have +preserved that exciting episode for future generations to enjoy, if I +hadn't? That's what I'm here for," replied Will in surprise. + +"And I suppose that was what made you so late Frank had to go back and +hunt you up, eh?" + +"I suppose it was, Bluff; but don't you scold now. I guess you'll enjoy +those views as much as any one. There's only one thing I regret, +fellows." + +"And I can guess what that is. You wish you had taken the rest of us up +to our chins in the drink," remarked Frank, whereat Will nodded eagerly, +crying out: + +"Oh! it would have been a great sight! Think how many times it might +chase the blues away when some of us felt downcast! I wish, now, I had +asked you to go back and give me the chance." + +"Tell me about that, will you! Was there ever such an +indefatigable--hey, Bluff! Is that the word I want?--artist as our meek +little pard here? Sometimes he seems so timid, and then again he shows +more nerve than the whole bunch put together. I thought I knew him to a +dot, but I confess I'm puzzled," grunted Jerry. + +"The rain has stopped, fellows," announced Frank a little later. + +"But just look at the river! Must have been a cloudburst, as they call +it out in the Rockies, Mr. Mabie says. It's just rising right before our +eyes!" + +"Then they'll have to change the camp, because by this time the water +must be up to where the tents were pitched. Why, see there, Frank! Isn't +that water over yonder, too, on the right of us?" asked Bluff, pointing +through the woods. + +"As sure as you live, and rushing madly on, too. We are between two +rivers, it seems, with the water rising like a tidal wave. Perhaps we +may have to take to a tree yet, fellows," announced Frank after a long +look. + +"H'm! These trees are sure handy to have around! We shin up one to avoid +all sorts of dangers, it seems to me. And by the looks of that wall of +water coming down on us just now, the sooner we climb, the better for +us!" cried Jerry, suiting his actions to his words, and seizing the +lower limb of a friendly oak, into which he clambered hastily, followed +by his three chums, just as a five-foot wave swept under them, for all +the world resembling a "curler" rolling in from the ocean and up the +beach. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE STAMPEDE + + +"What d'ye call this, anyway?" exclaimed Bluff, panting with his +exertions. + +"I'd say it was crowding the mourners, for these things to chase each +other so fast, and the elements to make playthings out of four confiding +chums," said Frank. + +"Tell me about that, will you! First a scorching, then put to soak, +after which comes another hot experience, and now treed by a flood! Upon +my word, things are happening a little too rapid even for me," put in +Jerry. + +"There!" remarked Will, with a satisfied chuckle. "I think you three +fellows will make a splendid showing, perched along that limb like a lot +of crows, and the water rolling along below." + +"Talk to me about the industrious photographer! If that chap hasn't +taken our pictures in this ridiculous attitude! Why, they'll believe +we've gone back to the old days, when our ancestors used to live in +trees." + +"Speak for yourself, Jerry. I refuse to admit that I am descended from a +monkey," declared Bluff indignantly. + +"How long do you suppose we may have to hang out here?" asked Will. + +"Oh, a day or so, I suppose," replied Jerry, keeping a straight face. + +"A day or so! Listen to him say that without a show of feeling! Why, +long before that time elapsed I'd grow so weak from fatigue that I'd +have to be strapped to my limb to keep from falling into the treacherous +water," stammered Will. + +"And what of me?" burst out Bluff. "I'd waste away to a mere shadow from +hunger. Sooner than submit to that, I'd try swimming ashore." + +"Do you think the water will get any higher? Could it possibly overwhelm +us in this tree? We could climb up twenty feet if necessary." + +"Well, I hardly think that emergency is going to arise, Will; not at +this time, at least. To tell the truth, the water is already receding," +announced Frank, taking pity on Jerry's victims, both of whom looked +worried. + +"Oh! do you really think so?" cried Will. "Then Jerry is only up to some +of his old foolishness. Yes, I can see that it does not quite come up to +the wet mark on the trunk of the tree. Then perhaps we won't have to +stay up here all night." + +"Well, I guess not. I expect that in less than twenty minutes we'll be +once more afoot, and on our way to camp. This must have been a genuine +cloudburst, and they tell me those sort of things, while severe at the +time, are quickly over." + +"Bully for you, Frank! You always look on the bright side of things, +while Jerry tries to dash a fellow's spirits. Things have come out +pretty well, after all. We've had some strange experiences, come through +them all in decent shape, and to cap the whole thing I've captured some +dandy views. I can hardly wait to develop them." + +"Go ahead, then. Plenty of water at hand for washing off the hypo," +suggested Jerry wickedly. + +By the time the twenty minutes had expired the water had subsided so far +that the imprisoned chums were able to lower themselves from the tree +and once more resume their journey. + +Of course, they were an uncomfortable lot, being soaked to the skin, +and, as Will declared, looking like a lot of hoboes. Brisk exertion kept +them from feeling cold, however; but they were one and all delighted to +set eyes on the familiar tents of the home camp. + +Their welcome was a warm one, for Mr. Mabie had been more or less +worried concerning them, owing to the forest fire and the fierce +cloudburst. + +"We hoped you were safe, and tried to believe it, boys; but at the same +time, even a veteran hunter in these parts might have been caught +napping, and I tell you we're mighty glad to see you back safe and +sound. Now, tell us how it happened," was Mr. Mabie's greeting as he +squeezed a hand of each. + +"If you mean the fire, sir, we know nothing about it. We have not struck +a match since leaving here, and only Bluff shot once. The fire came from +an entirely different quarter, I assure you," said Frank. + +"I never doubted that, my lad. I've seen enough of you boys to know that +after all I've said none of you would be careless enough to endanger +things. But perhaps, after all, the fire was more of a blessing than +otherwise, for it probably helped to hurry that rainstorm along, and +that has saved our pastures." + +Of course, the boys were for getting into dry clothes at once. The fire +was heaped high with fresh fuel, so that a delightful warmth would be +diffused around the immediate vicinity, after which there was a general +change of garments. + +"I feel better than I thought I would after all that rumpus," admitted +Bluff, as he capered about, trying to keep his muscles from getting +stiff. + +"We'll look back to this day as one of the strangest in all our +experience," remarked Frank, hanging his wet garments where the sun +would fall upon them, for the clouds had passed away, leaving a clear +sky overhead. + +"How much longer do we stay here?" asked Will, who had been doing some +figuring. "Because my films are getting low. I have three rolls still at +the ranch house, and when they're exhausted my business is done." + +"Sorry to tell you, lads, that I had word from the house while you were +gone, and it's absolutely necessary for me to start back in the morning. +Now, if you would like to remain a little longer in camp, why, Reddy and +Billy will keep you company. Don't give up unless you're satisfied with +what fun you've had," said the stockman just then. + +The boys looked at each other. + +"I think we've seen enough of this life, and that there are dozens of +things about the ranch we ought to know more about. So I vote that we +return with Mr. Mabie," was Frank's suggestion. + +"Count me in that," echoed Jerry. + +"And I'm just wild to print a few of the remarkable pictures I've made +up here, which I can't do until we get back to the house; so I'm only +too willing to say yes to the proposition," put in Will. + +"And I'm just as happy one place as the other, so long as the cook +doesn't strike, or put us on short rations," added Bluff. + +In this spirit of humor it was therefore decided that on the following +morning they would break camp and return to the ranch. + +"I feel that I'm cheating you out of some of your expected fun, boys," +apologized the stockman that evening, as they were packing some of their +stuff, so as to lighten the labor in the morning. + +"Why, I don't know what else we could do here. Seems to me we've about +exhausted the list of excitements. We've shot elk, grizzlies, a panther, +a wolf, met up with Indians, been chased by a forest fire, soaked in the +river and treed by a cloudburst. There could hardly be anything more, +sir," laughed Frank. + +"Well, I admit that you have made hay while the sun shone; and such a +pushing lot of boys always will get all the fun there is going. It's +been the happiest event of my last ten years of life to have you with +me, and when you see my old side partner of long ago just tell him that +I'll never get over being thankful to him for having sent you up here +to break the dreadful monotony of existence on a stock ranch." + +They passed a delightful evening. The boys sang many of their school +songs, and Bluff was induced to give a recitation, which called forth +vociferous applause from the cowboy audience. + +"I can see very plainly that you are going to make a worthy successor to +that lawyer father of yours, Bluff," declared Mr. Mabie as he clapped +his hands. + +"And I expect to live to see him on the Supreme Bench yet," said Jerry +seriously. + +In the morning preparations for their departure were soon completed. The +tents, and all material connected with the camp, went in the wagon, +while the boys, together with Mr. Mabie and Reddy, rode horseback. It +was an invigorating gallop back to the ranch house, and on the way the +chums indulged in a number of little races. But Will would not allow +himself to enter as he was afraid that something might happen to his +precious camera, which he carried by a strap over his shoulder. + +Once back in their old quarters, for several days the boys took life +easy, each being busily engaged in some favorite pursuit. Will developed +all his films, and made copious prints of the same, which kept him in a +feverish state of mind. When one turned out especially fine he was in +the seventh heaven of delight; and if he met with disappointment, which +was seldom the case, his laments were dismal indeed. + +Thus a week more passed, and the boys were beginning to think of turning +their faces toward the East again. They would leave the ranch with many +regrets, for Mr. Mabie had certainly quite won their youthful hearts by +his genial ways. + +Frank was the last one to meet with an adventure on this occasion, which +was fated to be written down in his logbook as worthy of remembrance. + +He had been out riding, and his horse, stepping into a gopher hole, +threw him. Frank was not seriously hurt, but the horse went lame, so +that he could not be ridden. As this happened miles away from the house, +and night was coming on, with a storm threatening, Frank knew he was in +for an experience; but even then he did not dream of all that was down +on the bills for that special occasion. + +Through the darkness he went, leading his limping horse. Then the storm +broke, and the crash of thunder, as well as the vivid lightning, was +something such as he could not remember ever meeting before. + +He was just thinking that the pony had recovered enough to enable him to +mount and make his way slowly along, as the ranch house was not more +than a mile off, when something came to his ears that arrested his +attention. For half a minute he wondered what it might be, sounding like +increasing thunder. Then the appalling truth flashed upon him. There was +a stampede of cattle, and he seemed to be directly in the way of the +madly galloping herd! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A MYSTERY SOLVED + + +Frank, after that one spasm of alarm, gritted his teeth, and thought +fast. He had heard the rancher, as well as the cowboys, speak of the +terrors of the stampede, when the cattle were in a frenzy, through fear, +and utterly beyond all management. + +He knew that frequently experienced cowmen, caught in the rush of a +thousand lumbering steers, had been ground to death under countless +hoofs. It was so in the old days, when bison dotted the plains of the +great West. + +Mounted on a good horse, one might hope to ride clear of the advancing +avalanche of hoofs and horns. But his steed was lame, and hardly able to +limp along. The situation was one calculated to arouse a boy as he had +never been awakened before in all his life. + +Frank jumped upon the back of his horse. He knew instantly that his one +hope must lie in getting clear of the immense herd; and that this could +only be done by either riding faster than they were going down the wide +valley, or in making for the nearest hillside, where trees would offer +him a refuge. + +He chose the latter. Flight in a straightaway course was utterly out of +the question with a cripple between his knees. + +"Get up, Hector! Do your prettiest now!" he called to his horse. + +The poor beast was trying his hardest to run well, but making only a +pretense, after all, since that lame leg kept him from speedy progress. +Doubtless Hector, being a cow pony, knew full well the nature of the +peril that menaced them, and if it lay in his power he would bear his +young master to a point of safety. + +Frank's heart seemed to be in his throat as he leaned forward and +listened to the rapidly approaching roar of hundreds upon hundreds of +hoofs, mingled with the horrid clashing of horns. Added to this was the +deep-toned thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning. + +Once, when he looked to the left, he could see the moving mass that was +sweeping horribly close. After that he resolutely kept his attention +riveted in front, where the ridge loomed up against the darkened +heavens. + +Everything depended upon how far he was from the nearest trees. Seconds +counted with Frank just then. The lightning flashed every quarter of a +minute, and yet it seemed to him that they were ages apart. + +With his heart in his throat, as it seemed, he stared ahead, and waited +for the next flash to show him the worst. Unless the trees were close +by, his case seemed hopeless, for the main herd appeared to have pushed +over to this side of the valley, unfortunately, showing that he had +picked the wrong course when he started. + +Hector stumbled more than once, and Frank feared he would be thrown. He +even wondered whether it would not be better for him to throw himself to +the ground while he had the chance, and trust to his own legs to carry +him to safety. + +Then came the eagerly anticipated flash. Hope sprang anew in his breast, +for he had discovered the trees close at hand. One more gallant effort +on the part of the crippled pony, and they managed to pass behind the +outposts of the timber, just as the beginning of the terrible rushing +stampede swept by. + +There Frank sat upon his pony, breathing hard, and patting the poor +animal reassuringly. He could hear the loud cries of the cowboys and Mr. +Mabie as they circled about the terrified cattle, trying by every means +possible to influence them to mill; but in that gloom it was impossible +to carry out the usual tactics, and by degrees the sounds died away far +down the valley. + +Frank walked with his lame pony to the ranch house. Here he found his +chums in a fright because of his absence. They were afraid he had been +caught in the mad stampede and ground under the hoofs of the steers. + +Mr. Mabie did not show up until long after midnight. The storm had +passed away, and the sky cleared by that time. The boys were sitting up, +waiting, none of them thinking of seeking his bed. + +"Hello, Frank, my lad! I'm mighty glad to find you here, safe and sound. +I saw your pony at the stable, and that you had bound up his leg, +showing a sprain. But I was afraid that something more serious had been +the matter. You don't know how relieved I was to see your horse; and +Reddy, too. The poor fellow has been in a sweat with fear ever since the +stampede broke out," was the hearty way the rancher greeted Frank as he +came bustling in. + +"Oh, I was right in the line of the rush, but by clever work on the +part of my pony managed to reach the trees before they caught me. But +what's the report about the cattle, sir?" asked Frank eagerly. + +"The boys have halted them about ten miles from here. Thanks to the +storm stopping, and the animals getting leg weary, we managed to head +them off. Little damage done, except to our feelings. These things +happen once in a while, and are really unavoidable. Steers in a panic +are crazy; but then I suppose the same would apply to human beings, if +all accounts are true that I read about theater fires and such things." + +He asked many questions concerning Frank's adventure. + +"You just happened to choose the wrong side, lad. Had you headed the +other way you would have had little trouble. The storm came from that +quarter, and a cowboy must have known that cattle always run _away_ from +the lightning and rain. But fortunately you made the timber, and; as the +subject is unpleasant, we'll drop it for the present. Now get off to +bed, the lot of you. In the morning, if you want, I'll take you down +with me, and show you how we drive a big herd." + +"I've got my last roll of films in the camera, and that would make a +mighty fine set of pictures to finish up with; but, oh! what wouldn't I +give if I could have caught Frank, here, riding for life on that +crippled pony, and the stampede sweeping down on him!" said Will +enthusiastically. + +"Talk to me about your cold-blooded savages! Does anything equal a crank +with a camera, bent on snapping off everything that happens?" muttered +Jerry, shaking his head in real or assumed disgust. + +"That is the fate of every genius, to be misunderstood and +misrepresented when ready to sacrifice comfort and everything to his +art. But I am not the only one who is a crank. I have known fellows so +proud of their lungs, that night after night they insisted on filling +the air mattresses of the party just to prove which could blow the +harder; while the other two members of the party sat by and laughed." + +Frank chuckled at hearing this, and both Bluff and Jerry looked daggers, +for the shot hit home with them. + +In the morning the boys did accompany the rancher down the valley. Frank +showed them his course on the previous night, and they followed his +line of travel until the trees were reached. Trail there was none, for +hundreds of cloven hoofs had pounded the soil about that spot, showing +how narrow had been his escape. + +The cowboys were found to have the big herd well in hand. It was even +then on the way back to its former feeding ground. Some of the steers +showed the effects of the mad rush, in various cuts from the horns of +their fellows; and several had tripped and gone down to death in the +panic, the herd trampling them into an unrecognizable mass. + +Of course, Will satisfied his longing, and secured what pictures he +wanted. + +"I'm happy in having carried out my plans. Won't the home folks stare +when they see the panorama of views I've gathered!" he said jubilantly. + +"I should think they would," remarked Jerry, shrugging his shoulders, +"for you certainly have a collection of freak pictures, some of which +would take the prize." + +"But all of this lot are genuine. Nobody had to prance around a tree +with a dead yellow dog on his feet, pretending to chase after him," +asserted Will. + +"Whose doing was that, eh? Tell me that! Didn't you just plead with me +to make a fool of myself, and to save you pain I consented. I suppose +I'll never hear the end of that fool joke," growled Jerry. + +"Oh, yes, you will. It's all in the family. Others don't know the dog +was dead when he had his picture taken. They all say he looks as though +about to snap a piece out of your leg. Now, I think we've just had a +glorious time of it up here, with nothing to mar our pleasure," remarked +Frank, the peacemaker. + +"Except that miserable job of mine in leaving my knife home," sighed +Bluff. + +"Talk to me about that, will you! He hasn't forgotten it yet!" exclaimed +Jerry. + +"I never can. Hello! Here comes Reddy with a bag of mail, the last we'll +get, I suppose, before we go home. A letter for me? Now just keep your +eyes to yourselves, fellows. I admit it's from Nellie, but no doubt the +dear girl is anxious about her brother Frank, and wants information from +a thoroughly reliable quarter." + +Bluff sought out a lonesome corner of the big piazza in front of the +ranch house, and presently all hands were absorbed in their letters. +Suddenly the others heard Bluff utter an exclamation, and looked up just +in time to see him sprint into the building. + +"What d'ye suppose ails the fellow?" asked Will. + +"Give it up. He seemed to have a broad grin on his face, as though +Nellie must have written something especially sweet. But here he comes +out again, dancing like a wild Indian. What's he waving above his head, +fellows?" said Frank. + +"It's his lost hunting-knife, as sure as you live!" echoed Will. + +"Just to think of it, boys! The beauty was in my clothes bag all the +time, and I didn't know it! Nellie did it. She mentions the fact in this +letter, and says she was so afraid I'd hurt myself with that knife, by +accident, that she rolled it up in this new flannel shirt, which I've +never thought to put on as yet, and thrust it down at the bottom of my +clothes bag. I never thought to pull it out; and now that the big-game +hunt is over I get my trusty blade." + +"Tell me about that, will you! And you thought I was to blame," remarked +Jerry. + +"For which I beg your pardon. After all, perhaps no harm was done, and +since Nellie only did it from the best of motives, why, I would be +foolish to be angry." + +"Sensible for once," observed Frank, winking at the others. + +"And so we will leave the ranch without the slightest cloud on the +horizon. Fellows, all I can say is we're a lucky lot of boys," observed +Will positively. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION + + +Saying good-by was harder than the boys had anticipated. They had really +enjoyed themselves so immensely up there at the ranch in the wilderness +that the thought of never seeing it more brought gloom upon their +spirits. + +Of course, the fact that they were heading toward home, and the dear +ones awaiting their coming, made their sorrow lighter. + +They had sent their trunk away on the previous evening, so that it would +be at the far distant station awaiting their coming. On horseback, then, +they were to cover the route that on their arrival they had done on a +buckboard. + +Mr. Mabie, Reddy and Billy accompanied them, the stockman and Billy to +bring back the mounts after the train had borne their young friends +away. Reddy, of course, expected to accompany the boys East, to at least +visit his family. He could not promise to remain at home, for the magic +of the magnificent country of the Northwest called loudly to him; but he +was taking home his savings, and meant to make his parents happy. + +"I'll never forget all the good times you've given us, Mr. Mabie," said +Frank, as he squeezed the hand of their good friend when the whistle of +the approaching train was heard as it came booming out of the cut, a +mile away. + +"My dear boy, on my part I can never thank you and your jolly chums half +enough for the delightful time you've given me. It will seem dreary here +after you're gone. I haven't been so happy for years," was the reply of +the stockman, as he beamed upon the cluster of bright faces around him. + +"But you know you promised to make us a visit when we're home from +college next Christmas. Don't forget that, sir!" declared Will. + +"I certainly will not, if I'm alive. And Will, one of the inducements +for such a long journey is the expectation of seeing that remarkable +book of interesting views, containing reminders of so many of the +exploits of the Outdoor Club. I'm sure that alone would repay me for the +trip," laughed the other. + +"You won't forget about shipping those skins and things, sir? We want +them for reminders of the happiest trip this club ever took. Every time +we look at those rugs we'll think of you and your Big M ranch," remarked +Bluff. + +"They'll go in a few days, boys, just as soon as the skins are in proper +shape for transportation, depend on it. And I'll let you know when +Pierre is placed under arrest, and the exiled chief, Running Elk, goes +back to his people with all honor." + +The last they saw of Mr. Mabie and Billy, they were waving their big +hats vigorously on the little station platform. Then a curve of the road +shut them out, and the four chums settled back in their seats to talk +over the thousand and one matters that claimed their attention. + +It is not in youth to grieve for long. They felt bad at leaving the +scene of these recent happy events; but presently, in anticipation of +the reunion with loved ones at home, this was temporarily forgotten. + +Will bemoaned the fact that he had not one single film left. + +"And there are so many things I'd like to take on the way home," he +sighed, "and which I let slip on the way up." + +"Yes," remarked Jerry laughingly, "it's wonderful what game you see +when you haven't a gun. But what's the matter with you trying to get a +roll at the first town? Perhaps we may stop long enough, and they may +have photographic supplies at the station." + +"Thank you for the suggestion, Jerry. It was a bright thought--for you; +but I mean to take advantage of it, and make inquiries." + +Jerry gave him a queer look. Will was a fellow he could not fully +understand. He seemed to be made up of contradictions, sometimes simple, +and again shrewd; now as timid as a girl, and under certain conditions +showing the bravery of a lion. Jerry knew Bluff as he did his own +nature, and could dispute with him with energy, but in the case of Will +he was always glad to drop the subject before he found he had burned his +fingers. + +Nothing of moment happened on the journey, at least nothing worthy of +mention. Will did manage to secure a roll of films at the first town. A +messenger came to the car with it, and Frank always supposed from that +that his eccentric companion must have wired ahead for supplies. When +Will wanted anything he meant to get it, if there was any possible way +of so doing. + +In due time they arrived at the station in Centerville, where a host of +relatives and friends awaited their coming. There was a roar of many +voices as the four chums appeared in view, and our boys quickly found +themselves being hugged and kissed in a most indiscriminate fashion. + +If some of the girls, in the confusion, kissed the brothers of their +friends, as well as their own, that was not to be wondered at, and +everybody seemed as happy as could be, despite these natural blunders. + +Finally they managed to push outside the station. + +"Where's Hank Brady?" called Frank aloud. + +"Here!" said that worthy, stepping forward from the motor-car, and +holding out his hand eagerly to the friend who had been so instrumental +in assisting him to get his slipping feet on steady ground. + +"Hello, Hank! Here's your brother Teddy!" + +In this abrupt fashion did he bring the two face to face. Hank turned +white, and stared hard at the bronzed young cowboy for a moment; then he +caught hold of him, and the long separated; brothers were in each +other's arms. + +"Sure, the old folks will be happy this night, Ted, to see you again! I +never hoped they'd find you when I asked Mr. Frank to keep on the +lookout," was what Hank was saying, as he turned a moist eye in the +direction of the boy who had done so much to bring happiness to his +home. + +Bluff and Nellie were seen talking earnestly close by. Probably he was +telling her about the surprise she gave him in that last letter when +revealing what she had done with his wonderful hunting-knife. + +Now that they were home again, with vacation nearing an end, the boys +would not have so much time to indulge in their pastimes on the lake, so +that they were keen to make hay while the sun shone. Consequently, they +fairly haunted the lake, and the canoes were in use every day from that +time on. Nor were they alone in this love of the open, for many an +evening each canoe had its complement of fair ones, whose sweet voices +blended with those of the four outdoor chums as they paddled in the +moonlight over the rippling water. + +College was ahead of them, but as they expected to keep together still, +the Outdoor Club was not to be disbanded by any means. Often in future +days they expected to once more sit around a campfire in company, +enjoying the delights of an outing, and recalling many of the wonderful +experiences that came their way in days that were past. + +And there, written down in Frank's diary, or logbook, were the accounts +of their first camp above the loggers' settlement, at the head of the +lake; the one on Wildcat Island; then the third, among the Sunset +Mountains, when they solved the mystery of Oak Ridge's ghost; and also +their wonderful cruise down a Florida river and along the border of the +great Mexican Gulf; while this journey to the cattle ranch of Mr. Mabie, +in the wilderness of the Northwest, would complete the list. + +How many times, as they read of these exploits, and surveyed the +splendid pictures Will had secured during their various campaigns, would +the scenes of the happy past come before their mental vision! They could +hardly expect to equal these glorious days in the times to come, but no +one who knew their love for the open would dare predict that the Outdoor +Club would cease to exist with the going to college of its four members. + +Perchance they may yet have other camps in strange places, and perhaps +it may be our pleasant duty to chronicle the happenings of the four +chums when again they erect their tents, or it may be, paddle their +canoes on other waters. + +Wherever they go, and in whatever line of business they may find their +life work, it can be taken for granted that the lessons learned when +living this life of self-reliance in the open must always prove of the +greatest value to The Outdoor Chums. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Chums After Big Game +by Captain Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME *** + +***** This file should be named 15188-8.txt or 15188-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/1/8/15188/ + +Produced by Janet Kegg, Charles Aldarondo, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Chums After Big Game + Or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness + +Author: Captain Quincy Allen + +Release Date: February 27, 2005 [EBook #15188] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME *** + + + + +Produced by Janet Kegg, Charles Aldarondo, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="600" height="899" alt="Cover Artwork" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><!-- Page -3 --><a name="Page_-3" id="Page_-3" /> +<img src="images/01.jpg" width="600" height="938" alt="FILLED WITH MAD RAGE, HE WAS GALLOPING STRAIGHT TOWARD +THEM!—Frontispiece. .—Page 66" title="" /> +<b>FILLED WITH MAD RAGE, HE WAS GALLOPING STRAIGHT TOWARD +THEM!—<i>Frontispiece</i>. <br /> —Page <a href="#Page_66">66</a></b> +<br /><br /></div> + +<h1>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME<!-- Page -2 --><a name="Page_-2" id="Page_-2" /></h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h2>Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness</h2> + +<h3><br /><br /><br />BY</h3> + +<h2>CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN</h2> + +<p class="center">AUTHOR OF "THE OUTDOOR CHUMS,"<br />"THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE," ETC.</p> + +<p class="center"><br /><br /><br /><i>ILLUSTRATED</i></p> + +<p class="center"><br /><br /><br />NEW YORK</p> + +<p class="center">GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> + +<p class="center">PUBLISHERS</p> + +<h3><br /><br /><br /><!-- Page -1 --><a name="Page_-1" id="Page_-1" />THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES</h3> + +<h4>BY CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN</h4> + +<p> +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS<br /> +Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club<br /> +<br /> +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE<br /> +Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island<br /> +<br /> +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST<br /> +Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge<br /> +<br /> +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF<br /> +Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists<br /> +<br /> +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME<br /> +Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, per volume, 50 cents postpaid.</i></p> + +<p class="center">GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> + +<p class="center">PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</p> + +<p class="center">COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> + +<p class="center"><i>The Outdoor Chums After Big Game</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS" /><!-- Page 0 --><a name="Page_0" id="Page_0" />CONTENTS</h2> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='right'>CHAPTER</td><td align='left'></td><td align='right'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I</td><td align='left'>GLORIOUS NEWS</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II</td><td align='left'>THE MOTORCYCLE THIEVES</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III</td><td align='left'>HOMEWARD BOUND BY MOONLIGHT</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td><td align='left'>STARTING HANK RIGHT</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V</td><td align='left'>WESTWARD BOUND</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td><td align='left'>AT THE VALLEY RANCH</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td><td align='left'>THE GRIZZLY AT BAY</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td><td align='left'>BLUFF MISSES SOMETHING</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td><td align='left'>FRANK HAS HIS TURN</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X</td><td align='left'>THE YOUNG HUNTER AND THE ELK</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td><td align='left'>THE ELK AND THE YOUNG HUNTER</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td><td align='left'>HARD LUCK</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_106">105</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td><td align='left'>AN INVADER IN CAMP</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_117">116</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV</td><td align='left'>THE COWBOY GUIDE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_126">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td><td align='left'>IN THE RAPIDS</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_135">134</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td><td align='left'>THE NEW CAMP</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">143</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td><td align='left'>AT THE CAMPFIRE OF THE CREES</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_155">153</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td><td align='left'>AN INVITATION TO COME OUT</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_164">162</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td><td align='left'>A STRANGE DISCLOSURE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_175">173</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX</td><td align='left'>"WE MUST CUT AND RUN FOR IT!"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_184">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI</td><td align='left'>NEVER GIVE UP</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_193">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII</td><td align='left'>THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_201">198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII</td><td align='left'>THE STAMPEDE</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_209">206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV</td><td align='left'>A MYSTERY SOLVED</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_218">215</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV</td><td align='left'>HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_228">225</a></td></tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_OUTDOOR_CHUMS_AFTER_BIG_GAME" id="THE_OUTDOOR_CHUMS_AFTER_BIG_GAME" /><!-- Page 1 --><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1" />THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>GLORIOUS NEWS</h3> + + +<p>"Hello, there, <i>Red Rover</i>! Come alongside!"</p> + +<p>"What's the row, fellows? This dandy breeze is too good to be wasted +loafing."</p> + +<p>"Frank's coming in the <i>Jupiter</i>, and coming like a streak!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and more than that, Bluff, he waves his hat as though he had great +news!"</p> + +<p>Will Milton and Jerry Wallington sat in the double canoe, that with +flapping sails pointed its stem into the wind; while their chum, Richard +Masters, known among all his schoolmates as Bluff, manipulated the +dainty fifteen-foot cedar craft in which he had been speeding over the +surface of Camalot Lake.</p> + +<p>Another midget boat, constructed on the same <!-- Page 2 --><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2" />lines as that in which +Bluff was seated, came flying down before the wind, and presently +brought up alongside the other craft.</p> + +<p>It contained a single young fellow, upon whose frank and open face +rested a broad smile that seemed to prophesy pleasing news.</p> + +<p>"What makes you look so happy, Frank? Evidently you've heard that your +examination papers were up to the standard, and it's college next year +for yours," remarked Bluff with eagerness, and, it must be confessed, a +tinge of envy in his quivering voice.</p> + +<p>"Right for you! But that is only the beginning of my news!" cried Frank +Langdon as he reached out and caught Jerry by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Am I in it?" demanded that worthy, seeming to catch his breath.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say you were, and with even better honors than poor me. +Now, the rest of you fellows, don't look that way. It's all right, I +tell you," went on the bearer of news, trying to control his own voice, +but succeeding only a little better than Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Say! do you mean it? Did Bluff and I get through, after all?" exclaimed +Will.</p> + +<p>Frank nodded his head enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Careful, now, you wild Indians! Just remember that you're in canoes +that can be upset easily, <!-- Page 3 --><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3" />and unless you want a ducking out in the +middle of the lake, restrain your enthusiasm a bit, please. It isn't the +easiest thing in the world, climbing over the stern of a canoe with all +your clothes on," he warned them.</p> + +<p>"But is it really true?" pleaded Will. "Have I crawled through decently? +Well, I'm glad; not only because it will keep four chums together a +while longer, in college, but my mother has set her heart on this thing. +Yes, I'm mighty well pleased."</p> + +<p>Will's mother was a rich widow, and as he had only a twin sister, +Violet, for whom Frank entertained a pronounced liking, the two were +more than ordinarily dear to Mrs. Milton.</p> + +<p>"Well, fellows, let's give one mighty cheer because of our good +fortune," said Jerry, his face beaming with delight; for the chums were +very fond of each other, and had a single one been left behind on the +following year, when the college term opened, there would have been many +a keen regret.</p> + +<p>"Hip, hip, hurrah! Hurrah! hurrah! Tiger!"</p> + +<p>No doubt, many persons ashore, who heard that lusty shout come ringing +over the clear water of the beautiful little lake on which the town of +Centerville was located, wondered what the burst of enthusiasm meant.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 4 --><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4" />But then they knew these four boys were built along the right lines, +and that while they loved the whole outdoors, with its attendant +exciting times, never had they been known to indulge in mean pranks.</p> + +<p>After the cheer had died away there was a shaking of hands all around.</p> + +<p>"Fellows, it begins to look as though our great trip to the Gulf of +Mexico last winter might not be our last grand outing, after all. You +know what our parents promised us if we went through all right?"</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear! Frank has the floor!" cried Jerry.</p> + +<p>"We were to have our choice of an extended tour through Yellowstone Park +to California, and return by way of the Canadian Rockies; or a grand +hunt in the wilderness, wherever we chose to take it. That was the idea, +wasn't it?" went on the happy occupant of the <i>Jupiter</i>.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your personally conducted tours all you please, +nothing appeals to me like a real old hunt in the Great West," said +Jerry ecstatically. "Haven't I just longed for a chance to look at a big +elk in his native wilds, for years? And the thought of a grizzly bear +sends a thrill of pleasure through me."</p> + +<p>"And as for me, haven't I lain awake nights <!-- Page 5 --><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5" />without number thinking +about what bliss it would be to actually snap off a few pictures of +those same animals right where they live? How tame to go to a menagerie +and get a photo of a poor old bear behind the bars, when a fellow has a +chance to take him in the open!"</p> + +<p>Of course it was Will who made this remark. He was the official +photographer of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, as our four boy friends +called themselves, and his ambition to secure striking scenes, with wild +game in the center of the stage, had already led him into quite a few +scrapes, just as it would again when the opportunity presented itself.</p> + +<p>"But what I have told you isn't quite all," remarked Frank presently, +when the chatter of voices allowed him a chance to get in a few words +edgewise.</p> + +<p>"What else have you got up your sleeve?" demanded Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Yes, confess everything, and perhaps we'll forgive you," came from +Will.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've had a letter." And Frank held something up.</p> + +<p>"From that old side partner of Jesse Wilcox, the trapper whose camp we +used to visit during our fall hunt?" cried Jerry.</p> + +<p>Frank nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 6 --><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6" />And what does he say? Hurry up, and tell. Can't you see that Bluff, +here, will be overboard? He's leaning so far over the side that the +water is ready to pour in over the gunwale. Will Martin Mabie take us +out?" asked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"He says he will be glad to do so, for old friendship's sake. I'm to +wire when to expect us, and leave the rest to him," Frank explained.</p> + +<p>"I hope he has told you what we are to fetch along. We've done some +hunting, fellows, in our time, but that sort of thing, with big game in +prospect, calls for heavier gear. None of your repeating shotguns need +apply this trip, Bluff, you understand?"</p> + +<p>Jerry could never become wholly reconciled to the modern gun Bluff +owned. He professed to be such a clean sportsman that he always believed +in giving the game a chance, and declared it to be next door to murder +to have six shots in hand when hunting birds. With big game, it was all +right, because then a fellow's life might often be in danger.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Martin Mabie has written quite a long letter. He seems to be an +educated man, and not at all the brand we figured out from hearing Jesse +talk about him. Boys, we can now lay our plans, and make a start inside +of a week," declared Frank.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 7 --><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7" />Isn't it just great? Did ever a set of grads get such a chance for fun +as this?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they ever did, or ever will, Bluff. And our folks have +been mighty good to give us this glorious opportunity to enjoy an outing +such as we've hankered after for a year, remember that, fellows," +remarked Frank seriously.</p> + +<p>"You can just wager that I make it a point to let the pater know my +sentiments. He's the best dad going, and I mean to make him proud of me +some day. But tell us more about it, Frank. Where is Martin Mabie to +meet us, and what does he tell us to fetch along?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to say another word, Jerry, until we get to the +clubhouse, when every one of you can have a chance to read his letter," +remarked Frank as he prepared to cast off and throw his sails to the +breeze again.</p> + +<p>"A week, did you say? Oh! what a long time to wait!" groaned Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Still, there are lots of things to be done. I think it may be necessary +for one of us to run down to the city to lay in some things in the way +of ammunition, and a few articles of clothing for mountain wear."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll appoint you as a committee of one to see to such traps, +Frank," called Jerry as the <!-- Page 8 --><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8" />other shot away with the wind, his canoe +gliding over the little wavelets like a phantom craft.</p> + +<p>Frank smiled. It was certainly nice to know that his chums felt such +sincere confidence in him at all times. There was nothing he would not +do to give them pleasure.</p> + +<p>So the three cedar boats were soon heading for the clubhouse, and while +they are thus employed it might be well for us to understand just who +these chums were, and what they had been doing in the past to make them +such firm friends.</p> + +<p>Frank was from Maine, but his father, a banker, had come to Centerville +a few years back; and among all the boys attending the Academy Frank had +soon picked out as his especial friends these three, Will Milton, Jerry +Wallingford and Bluff Masters.</p> + +<p>After the Rod, Gun and Camera Club had been formed they had taken their +first outing, using their motorcycles to reach the woods beyond the head +of the lake. What befell them on this occasion has been told in the +first volume of this series, called "The Outdoor Chums; or, The First +Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club."</p> + +<p>Later on, a storm having done considerable damage at the school, they +were given an unexpected fall vacation, and the chums decided to spend +it on Wildcat Island, situated at the foot <!-- Page 9 --><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9" />of the lake. There were +several strange things connected with this island, such as a mysterious +wild man who had been seen there; and besides, it was shunned because of +the fierce bobcats that had possession. How our boys camped on this +island, and what wonderful adventures they met with there, can be +learned by reading the second volume, entitled "The Outdoor Chums on the +Lake; or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island."</p> + +<p>When the Easter holidays came around they had laid out another charming +campaign. This was nothing more nor less than an expedition to Oak +Ridge, that lay some ten miles back from the lake, amid the Sunset +Mountains. Report had it that there was a real ghost to be seen there, +and the boys were bent on discovering the truth of this weird story. It +can be easily understood that they must have had a glorious time on that +trip, viewed from the standpoint of an eager, adventure-loving boy. But +the story is set down in full in the third volume, and you can read it +for yourselves in "The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying the Ghost +of Oak Ridge."</p> + +<p>No further long jaunts came the way of the quartet during the school +term, up to the Christmas holidays, when they received permission to +undertake a trip to the Sunny South. Just how this came about, and what +wonders they saw and <!-- Page 10 --><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10" />experienced on a Florida river, as well as upon +the great Mexican Gulf, have been told in the fourth book of the series, +called "The Outdoor Chums on the Gulf; or, Rescuing the Lost +Balloonists."</p> + +<p>And now it seemed as though, less than six months later, they were ready +to embark on what promised to be the most exciting trip of all, a visit +to the wilderness of the great Northwest, in search of big game.</p> + +<p>Reaching the clubhouse, they quickly stowed their boats away. From this +time on there would probably be scant time for aquatic sports. The +tremendous undertaking they had in view would, very likely, occupy all +their spare moments.</p> + +<p>"Now let's have that letter, Frank. We want to con it so that every word +will be photographed on our brains from this time on. Didn't old Jesse +say that Martin Mabie was a big stockman now, and had really quit being +a guide and hunter? Then it's mighty kind of him to undertake to convoy +a raft of tenderfeet into the wilderness. Money didn't enter into it, +that's sure," said Bluff.</p> + +<p>"He mentions having had a long letter from Jesse," remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>"That settles it, then. Our good old friend has been telling him +everything we ever did, and got him interested. We must make it a point +<!-- Page 11 --><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11" />to run up and see Jesse before we go, and thank him."</p> + +<p>"You're right about that, Jerry," said Frank warmly. "I was thinking the +same, myself. But here's the letter. Read it for yourselves."</p> + +<p>Various were the comments after this had been done.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your good fellows! That Martin Mabie stands in a class +of his own," observed Jerry. "Think of him offering to take us into the +mountains for weeks, and see that we have the time of our lives! And he +warns us not to mention the word money to him unless we want to break up +the game. I sure am anxious to shake hands with that same friend of old +Jesse."</p> + +<p>"I move we start up there right now and see Jesse. The day is fine, and +when can we spare the time better?" suggested Will, who secretly wanted +just another chance to try a snapshot of the queer cabin which the +trapper occupied.</p> + +<p>"Second the motion!" cried Bluff eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I'm some cramped, myself, from sitting so long in that canoe. Perhaps a +run on our motorcycles might give me relief. So I say go," came from +Jerry.</p> + +<p>Frank himself believed it would be a good idea. He knew that once they +started making prepara<!-- Page 12 --><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12" />tions for their Western trip nothing was apt to +tear them away.</p> + +<p>"All right, boys. It's going to be a full moon to-night. Suppose we stop +over and have a parting supper with Jesse? He'd be dreadfully tickled at +the notion. Tell your folks at home, and meet me at the Forks in not +more than half an hour."</p> + +<p>Frank hustled the others out of the boathouse, locked the door, and then +the four chums hastened to their various homes.</p> + +<p>Ere the half hour was up they came together at the forks of the road, +just out of Centerville. Frank was first on hand, as usual, but even +laggard Will showed up on time, camera and all.</p> + +<p>In single file, and with a little space separating them, they started +off, the motors soon popping merrily as the boys entered into the spirit +of the occasion.</p> + +<p>The air was fresh as they sped along the dusty road. The leader was ever +ready to signal a slow-down in case they met a farmer with a load of +hay, going to market, or any other vehicle. This was rendered necessary +because the cloud of dust might blind the eyes of those who came after, +and a collision be the result.</p> + +<p>In this fashion they arrived at the lumber camp, which was deserted at +this time of year. From there on the pace had to be slowed down, for the +<!-- Page 13 --><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13" />road was only used by logging teams, and hardly suitable for +motorcycles.</p> + +<p>They were plugging along, each keeping his eyes open for obstacles apt +to present themselves, such as roots cropping up above the surface, when +the leader gave a sudden toot upon the little horn attached to his +machine that warned the others a stop was imperative.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II" /><!-- Page 14 --><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14" />CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE MOTORCYCLE THIEVES</h3> + + +<p>"What's gone wrong, Frank?" demanded Bluff, dropping off his seat.</p> + +<p>"In luck again, for I'd have banged up against that big root if Frank +hadn't given the signal just then," chuckled Will, holding up his +machine.</p> + +<p>"A puncture, Frank?" demanded Jerry, who had been in the rear.</p> + +<p>"Not at all. I thought I heard some one shouting. Perhaps I was +mistaken, for with a lot of motors popping away it's hard to be sure. +Still, we can stop for a minute and listen," remarked Frank seriously.</p> + +<p>"Shouting—for help?" repeated Will, looking around nervously.</p> + +<p>"That's queer," cried Bluff, "that we seldom go out anywhere but what +somebody calls on us for assistance. Think of it! There was the town +bully, Andy Lasher, who was caught under that falling tree in the storm, +and rescued by Jerry."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 15 --><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15" />That's a fact; and then there was Jed, the bound boy, you remember, +fellows," went on Will eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Not to mention the saving of the aeronaut from the burning hotel by +Frank, here; and last, but not least, our giving that little Joe the +glad hand down South," observed Jerry, joining in with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but there are a few rescues you seem to forget, Jerry. How about +that time when the wild dogs had you chasing around the tree?" asked +Bluff, grinning.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that isn't in the same class. You forget that I got out of that +scrape by my own exertions," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"But there was another time when we hauled you out of a hollow tree in +which you found yourself caged. You didn't crawl out of there alone and +unaided, if I remember right," persisted Will.</p> + +<p>"Some things are better buried in oblivion. You and your camera want to +remind a fellow constantly of events that ought to be forgotten. But +Frank, that must have been an owl you heard. I haven't caught any call +for help yet."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'd better go on, then. Look out how you mount here, for it's +a hard proposition, Jerry, with these roots and stones."</p> + +<p>Frank had just started to move forward with <!-- Page 16 --><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16" />his own motorcycle, when +all of them heard a sound issuing from the woods alongside the "tote" +road.</p> + +<p>"Help! help!"</p> + +<p>They looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"Somebody's in trouble there. Who can it be?" said Frank as he leaned +his machine up against a tree, as though eager to hasten to the +assistance of the one who had cried out.</p> + +<p>"No hunters around at this time of year," remarked Will as he followed +suit.</p> + +<p>"And the loggers have been gone some months," went on Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, now! It wasn't a child's voice, or I might think a +kid had got lost up here. Perhaps some man has cut himself badly with +his ax," suggested Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Or dropped down into some old abandoned mine shaft," spoke up Frank, +with a wink toward Will; for one of the chums had gone through with just +such an experience during one of their outings, and had to be rescued.</p> + +<p>"Shall we all go?" demanded Bluff, given to caution.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Nothing can happen to our machines here. For one, I decline to +stay out of the rescuing party. Besides, perhaps I may get <!-- Page 17 --><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17" />a chance to +snap off a lovely picture of the Good Samaritans at work."</p> + +<p>Will had hastily unfastened his camera, and held it in his hands as he +spoke.</p> + +<p>"All right, then. Come on, boys!"</p> + +<p>With these words, Frank led the way into the woods.</p> + +<p>"Sure the sound came from this direction?" asked Bluff.</p> + +<p>"That was my impression. What do you say, Jerry?" and Frank turned to +the chum on whose knowledge of woodcraft he felt he could rely.</p> + +<p>"Straight in there. You're heading all right, Frank," he replied.</p> + +<p>"How far did it seem to be?" went on the leader.</p> + +<p>"That is hard to say. The man may have been weakened from loss of blood. +If he was shouting, then it may have been several hundred yards, perhaps +a quarter of a mile off; but I think we'll come across him closer than +that."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you, Jerry," said Frank, stopping short.</p> + +<p>"What did you hear?" demanded the other, for Frank had bent his head, +and seemed to be listening over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Perhaps it was a bush springing back into place after our +passage. But sup<!-- Page 18 --><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18" />pose we shout occasionally? It may encourage the poor +fellow, and besides, guide us to where he lies," returned Frank, once +more pushing on.</p> + +<p>Accordingly they lifted up their voices and gave a series of calls.</p> + +<p>"Why doesn't he answer us?" asked Will, astonished when only the echoes +came back from the surrounding forest.</p> + +<p>Frank stopped in his tracks.</p> + +<p>"Can he have fainted from loss of blood?" said Bluff, still having in +mind a picture of a woodsman who had severed an artery by a misblow of +his ax.</p> + +<p>"There's Frank listening again, and he seems to be paying more attention +to our rear than ahead," remarked Will, puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I bet you he thinks somebody is playing us for a lot of fools; that +there isn't any one hurt, or in need of help at all. What's that?"</p> + +<p>The distinct and well-known "popping" of a motor was heard.</p> + +<p>"It's a trick, fellows! Somebody is meddling with our machines! Back to +the road!" shouted Jerry, turning and plunging through the under-brush +recklessly.</p> + +<p>A wild scramble followed. The four chums were so excited, and filled +with a determination to stop the unknown miscreants from making <!-- Page 19 --><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19" />way +with their machines, that they gave little heed to their steps. The +consequence was that more than once a collision with a tree ensued, and +various bumps afterward gave mute evidence as to the reckless manner of +their chase.</p> + +<p>"There's two of 'em!" shrieked Will from the rear, as he caught the +sound of a second series of erratic poppings.</p> + +<p>Evidently those who were meddling with the motorcycles did not have a +thorough knowledge of how to work the same, for the sounds would +suddenly cease and then start up again.</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't I wish they'd just take headers over some nice fat root!" +gasped the perspiring Will, still hugging his precious camera to his +heart as he followed in Frank's wake.</p> + +<p>The latter had made for the road in as direct a line as possible. +Progress was bound to be slow through the dense undergrowth, and the +sooner they struck the open the quicker they could hope to gain on the +thieves.</p> + +<p>In this fashion they came upon the road at last. Of course, their eyes +immediately turned down its sinuous way to the quarter whence the +excitable popping sounds still continued to come.</p> + +<p>The sight that met their eyes amazed them. All of the chums had +naturally expected that they would discover some mischievous school +com<!-- Page 20 --><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20" />panions, who, seeing them coming, had hatched up this little game +with the intention of playing a practical joke.</p> + +<p>Nothing of the kind. On the contrary, they saw two of the motorcycles +bobbing along in the most erratic manner possible, moving from one side +of the rough road to the other, and mounted on the same were a couple of +roughly dressed men, either tramps, or journeymen on the road looking +for a job.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you!" gasped Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Why, the blooming idiots mean to steal our machines!" cried Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Oh! what luck that I thought to take my camera with me!" came from +Will.</p> + +<p>Frank only made one remark, but it was characteristic of the boy:</p> + +<p>"After them, fellows!"</p> + +<p>Then began a mad chase. Had the road been half-way decent, the boys +would have had no chance of overtaking the thieves; but those exposed +roots, while not bothersome to the lumbermen, proved extremely so to the +men who were trying to make off with the motorcycles.</p> + +<p>They dared not put on great speed. More than this, much of their time +was taken up with dodging the stones and other things that threatened to +bring sudden disaster upon them.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 21 --><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21" />Hence it was that the boys, having considerable sprinting ability, +began to rapidly overhaul the fleeing rascals. The two men dared not +cast a single glance behind, and consequently the only means they had of +knowing how close their pursuers might be would lie in any shouts given +by Frank and his chums.</p> + +<p>As he ran, the leading boy cast an occasional look alongside the path. +He was in search of a good stout cudgel. Knowing that the chances were +the affair would presently come to a face-to-face issue between the two +parties, he wished to be prepared as well as possible.</p> + +<p>"Bully stunt!" exclaimed Jerry as he followed suit.</p> + +<p>They were now drawing close upon the fugitives, who were having a +nerve-racking time dodging those numerous roots.</p> + +<p>Knowing that the angry owners of the wheels must be close upon them, the +men endeavored to increase their speed, with disastrous results.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" shouted Jerry, as he saw one of the riders suddenly shoot out of +his saddle and take a header, to be followed by his companion a second +later.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III" /><!-- Page 22 --><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22" />CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>HOMEWARD BOUND, BY MOONLIGHT</h3> + + +<p>"Jump 'em!" shouted Frank as he threw himself upon the first fellow, +floundering in the road.</p> + +<p>"I'm on!" echoed Jerry, suiting the action to the words by propelling +himself straight at the second motorcycle thief.</p> + +<p>This fellow happened to have come through his fall without getting hurt. +The consequence was, he felt disposed to put up a much better fight than +his confused companion, upon whose prostrate form Frank had straddled.</p> + +<p>He rolled over once or twice with remarkable agility, causing Jerry to +miss his guess when he thought to drop on him. Then, scrambling to his +knees, the man, who turned out to be a rough-looking chap, indeed, +pulled something out of his pocket, which he aimed at the two boys about +to pounce upon him.</p> + +<p>"Keep back, you!" he roared, his mouth being half filled with dirt after +he had plowed up the earth of the roadway with his face.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 23 --><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23" />He's got a pistol!" shrieked Will, who was fingering his camera +nervously from a point somewhat in the rear; and they immediately heard +the little suggestive click that announced the pressure of a finger on +the trigger.</p> + +<p>Bluff was the quick-witted one on this occasion. He had his stick +upraised at the time, ready to strike. Instead, he sent it from him +suddenly with all his power, and as the cudgel was no light one, when it +struck the extended arm of the kneeling thief the shock was so great +that the shining object he had been gripping was hurled about five feet +away.</p> + +<p>Jerry instantly took occasion to possess himself of the same. The man +was nursing his wounded arm and muttering to himself, his face screwed +up with pain.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your quick work! What could beat that, fellows?" cried +Jerry as he stood over the grunting and disgusted rascal who had +attempted to hold them off.</p> + +<p>"What had we better do with 'em?" asked Bluff, frowning at the several +scratches upon his machine caused by the accident.</p> + +<p>"Any damage done?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, this man here has a sore arm, I guess; and the one you're sitting +on looks as if his face <!-- Page 24 --><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24" />might be a map, from the scratches," replied +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I mean the machines," laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Nothing serious here. How about yours, Will?" answered Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Mine seems to be all right. They weren't going fast enough to cause a +real wreck. A little paint will fix it up," was the answer Will made.</p> + +<p>"Do you know either of these fellows?" went on Frank.</p> + +<p>The boys took a better look at the men.</p> + +<p>"Why, the one with the scratched face is Hank Brady, I'm sure. He used +to live in Centerville. The other is a stranger to me," remarked Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've seen him before. He was working in the office of the town +paper as a tramp compositor a week ago. I suppose he got uneasy, and +wanted to be on the move again, and seeing a fine chance for hooking a +couple of motorcycles, they yielded to temptation. If we took them back +they'd be locked up for this little job," observed Frank sternly.</p> + +<p>"I hope you won't do anything of the kind, kids," said the fellow whose +arm had been stung by Bluff's stick. "We only wanted to have a lark with +you. Sure you don't think we'd be fools enough to run away with such +valuable things as <!-- Page 25 --><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25" />them motorcycles, when the telephone would get us at +the next town? It was done for fun, but I reckon we paid the piper, all +right," and he scowled at Bluff as he spoke, nursing his arm as though +it were still painful.</p> + +<p>Frank laughed. He was not of a vindictive nature. Besides, it did seem +as though the two fellows had been punished enough already.</p> + +<p>"No matter, it was a mean trick, and you deserve all you got. Get up, +Hank. You took a lovely cropper that time. Where did you learn how to +run a motorcycle?" he asked, helping the prisoner to his feet.</p> + +<p>"I was a chauffeur a little time back. Sure we never thought to run off +with the gas-wheels. Saw you comin' along, and Flimsy said it would be a +good joke to make you fellers think somebody was sick in the woods. +Then, when we seen you all go by, I said to him, 'Let's run a couple of +them machines down the road a bit, just to tease the boys.' Flimsy he +rode one once in his travels, and so we jumped on. The rest is history, +and I got the map that goes along with it, on me face."</p> + +<p>"What say, boys? Shall we let it pass?" asked Frank, winking at his +chums.</p> + +<p>Jerry, for reply, started to fire the revolver he <!-- Page 26 --><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26" />held, until the +entire six shots had been discharged.</p> + +<p>"Here! Take your gun, mister, and next time don't be so quick to pull it +on a stranger. Think what would happen to you if you'd fired and hit one +of us? Some time you may even be glad that Bluff, here, was so quick +with his stick."</p> + +<p>He handed the empty weapon over to the tramp printer, who let his head +fall, as though really ashamed of his action.</p> + +<p>The boys started back to where the other machines had been left, while +the two men slunk into the shelter of the woods, to patch up their hurts +as best they might.</p> + +<p>"Say! that was a queer ending to a rescue, wasn't it?" asked Bluff.</p> + +<p>"I only hope my picture comes out all right. It ought to show Frank +sitting on top of Hank, while Bluff and Jerry surround the other tramp, +who is on his knees, aiming his old gun. Then my machine is lying there. +Fellows, what need of words to explain what happened?" chuckled the +gratified Will.</p> + +<p>Whenever he succeeded in securing a coveted picture the ardent +photographer was the happiest boy in the county. His pleasure caused him +to fairly bubble over with good nature.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, pre<!-- Page 27 --><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27" />tending to scorn such an +exhibition of joy over so trivial a matter. "Why, you'd think the chap +had knocked over some big game, to hear him chatter."</p> + +<p>"And so he had," declared Frank quickly, "according to his light. All of +us are not made alike, Jerry. One man's food is poison to another. You +and I are fond of fishing and shooting, but Will is more of an artist. +He delights in stalking the timid deer in the close season, and shooting +him with his camera. Lots of people believe his way of securing pleasure +beats ours all hollow."</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, it doesn't thin out the game," asserted Will stoutly.</p> + +<p>Jerry stopped short to turn a look of pity on his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Think how hungry we'd all go out in camp if we depended on your blessed +old box for supper," he suggested witheringly.</p> + +<p>"All very true," remarked Frank as they reached the other motorcycles, +and prepared to continue their interrupted journey to the camp of the +trapper; "which is proof of what I say, that many men, many minds. +There's room for all kinds in a party."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and nobody likes to look over my prints more than Jerry," grumbled +Will, feeling quite offended.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 28 --><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28" />Don't pay any attention to him. He doesn't mean anything by it. You +know how he likes to joke every one. Now, we're off again, boys."</p> + +<p>Once more they made their way along the rough road. The sight of those +two unfortunates sprawling upon the ground was a lesson, warning the +riders against trying for speed under such conditions, so they made +haste slowly.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving at the cabin home of the trapper they surprised him very +much; and when Jesse Wilcox learned the object of their visit he was +more pleased than ever.</p> + +<p>They spent some hours with him, and even assisted in getting the evening +meal. From their long experience now the boys had become quite +proficient in this line, and were able to show old Jesse quite a few +tricks that delighted him.</p> + +<p>With the campfire blazing merrily, they ate supper alongside his rough +cabin home. Of course, they fairly deluged him with questions about the +habits of the big game of the West, which he answered to the best of his +ability.</p> + +<p>"Wait till we get out with Martin Mabie, fellows. He's on the ground, +and can set us straight. Jesse has been trapping these little animals +around here so long now he's a back number," joked Jerry, at which the +trapper laughed, for he was <!-- Page 29 --><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29" />very fond of these four lads, and nothing +they said annoyed him.</p> + +<p>As they had planned, the run home was made by moonlight. This +necessitated that they walk with their machines until the good road was +gained, below the lumber camp.</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether those two tramps hit the high places, and got out of +this neighborhood for keeps?" Bluff was saying, after they had mounted +and were bowling along merrily toward town.</p> + +<p>"The chances are that way. That tramp printer must be a bad sort of +chap, it seems to me, and if Hank keeps along in his society I can see +his finish," answered Jerry over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>They had not made more than a mile when once more Frank gave a quick +toot of his horn that brought the little procession up in a hurry.</p> + +<p>"What ails us now?" demanded Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Frank's bending over something in the road, as sure as you live!" +called Will.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! Seems as if our lively times haven't +stopped yet. It never rains but it pours, fellows. Hi! Frank, what's the +matter? Say! Would you believe it? There's a man lying in the road!"</p> + +<p>Jerry made haste to push his heavy motorcycle forward so as to reach the +side of his kneeling chum.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 30 --><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30" />It's Hank Brady, boys, and he seems to be in a bad way. Something has +happened to him since we saw him last," said Frank, looking up.</p> + +<p>"Goodness gracious! Is he dead?" gasped Will, his eyes dilating in +horror.</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out," replied Frank, bending +over so that he could press his ear upon the breast of the man in the +road.</p> + +<p>"And that tramp printer, where's he at?" asked Jerry suggestively. "Tell +me that, will you?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV" /><!-- Page 31 --><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31" />CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>STARTING HANK RIGHT</h3> + + +<p>"He's alive, all right!" was the announcement of Frank presently.</p> + +<p>"I hear water close by. Hold on, and I'll get some," said Will hurrying +away.</p> + +<p>Even Jerry was desirous of helping as best he could. He took hold with +Frank, and the insensible Hank was carried alongside the road, to where +some grass grew, and offered a softer resting place.</p> + +<p>Had it been a friend who was thus in need of succor, they could hardly +have shown more energy in attending to his wants.</p> + +<p>"He's coming to," said Bluff after Frank had sprinkled the scratched +face with some of the cold water.</p> + +<p>There was a deep sigh, then Frank saw that the fellow's eyes had opened, +and were surveying him with a troubled stare.</p> + +<p>"Feeling better, Hank?" he asked quietly.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 32 --><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32" />Oh, I'm all right, I reckon. What brought you fellows here? Where am +I, anyhow? Did I just drop off that motorcycle? No. I remember, now. +Flimsy took the last cent I had while I lay in the road. The meanest +skunk I ever met up with. If ever he crosses my path again I'll get even +with the cur," he growled, sitting up and holding a hand to his head.</p> + +<p>"What happened to you, Hank? Why were you lying in the road? Did you +have a fight with that tramp printer?" asked Frank, suspecting the +truth.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I told him I was sick of keeping with him. He's a bad one, and +some fine day he'll land in the stone jug. He scared me the way he +talked. I started to tramp back home, and he kept nagging me all the way +here. In the end he made me so mad I just tackled him. That was what he +wanted. Why, he put me to sleep the easiest way you ever saw. I just +remember him fumbling in my pockets before he hoofed it."</p> + +<p>"Well, it was a lucky thing for you, Hank, after all. If you'd kept with +that rascal you'd soon have been just like him. Did you say you meant to +go back home now?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I meant to do, but he's fixed it so I can't," muttered the +other, grinding his teeth in fury.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 33 --><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33" />How's that?" pursued Frank, believing there must be a story back of +his words.</p> + +<p>"He took the ten dollars I stole from my dad. I won't never dare face +him and say I lost it. I thought I could put it back in the bureau +drawer, and he'd never know. I'll have to foller that Flimsy, and make +him give it back."</p> + +<p>"You can't do that for he'd only laugh at you, and perhaps beat you +again."</p> + +<p>"The thief ought to be arrested," grumbled Bluff indignantly.</p> + +<p>"That would blow the whole thing, you see, and dad he'd know I grabbed +it. I'm gettin' all I ought to have, I reckon. P'raps I might earn that +ten some way, and hand it over. If I could only get another job as +chauffeur it'd be all right," Hank Brady was mumbling to himself +dejectedly.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you can," said Frank quickly. "I remember, now, that our man +had to go away suddenly the day before yesterday. Look here, Hank! Do +you really mean to do the right thing now? Have you had your lesson +pounded into you?"</p> + +<p>"I sure have. Never again for me, I give you my word. I guess my folks +has been worried some on my account, but they don't need to any more. +I've reformed, I have. I'm goin' to walk a straight line after this."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 34 --><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34" />The fellow spoke as though he meant it, and Frank believed he could +detect the ring of sincerity in his voice.</p> + +<p>"All right. Shake hands on that, Hank. Don't you forget it, that you'll +find plenty of fellows willing to give you a lift, just as quickly as +some others want to give you a drag down. It all depends on where the +other chap is standing himself. You come and see me to-morrow, some +time. I'm Frank Langdon, and my father is the president of the First +National Bank."</p> + +<p>"This is mighty white of you, fellers," muttered the other, apparently +ashamed.</p> + +<p>"You can never pay it back to us, Hank, but some time pass it along; +hold out a helping hand to some other poor chap in trouble. I guess if +you know how to run a car decently you will get the job, if I speak to +my dad. Now, another thing—that ten dollars you wanted to put back, was +it in one bill?"</p> + +<p>"Two fives," replied Hank, catching his breath.</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps we can fix it up. I've got one here. Jerry, can you help +me out?" asked Frank, who believed in doing the whole thing, once he +started.</p> + +<p>"Just happen to have it, by good luck," replied the other cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 35 --><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35" />Say! that's too much, fellers—an' after I played that mean trick, +too!"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about that. I'm not giving you this, Hank, only loaning it +to you. You can pay it back out of your first month's salary. Here you +are, and don't think for a minute that you're getting the best of all +this. We're enjoying it, in our own way, more than you ever can. See you +to-morrow, then. Good-night, Hank!"</p> + +<p>They left the fellow standing there, quite dumb. He had tried to answer +them as they rode off, but not a sound could he utter.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about the queer things that crop up with us, will you!" +laughed Jerry as he kept close at Frank's heels. "Did you ever really +hear the equal of that, now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's an old story. The only decent thing about it is the fact that +of his own free will Hank was breaking away from his evil associations +and heading back home, when he met with this last trouble. I say, +Bluff!"</p> + +<p>"Hello, Frank! What is it?" came from the rear, where the party +addressed was following in the wake of his chums.</p> + +<p>"How about Hank? Do you know if he ever played chauffeur half-way +decent? I'd hate to risk the pater's neck with a greenhorn."</p> + +<p>"Come to think of it, he used to run old Cra<!-- Page 36 --><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36" />gin's car for quite some +time. Had an accident, and was discharged; but some people said Hank +wasn't to blame; that it came about because the old man was too stingy +to buy the right kind of tires, and always picked up job lots."</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it. He won't have that fault to find with the governor. +Well, here we separate, fellows. To-morrow morning, at the boathouse, +about eight, to lay our plans and arrange for the trip to the city."</p> + +<p>With a cheery good-night the chums separated, and each headed for his +home.</p> + +<p>In the morning they once more came together, and for some hours there +was an earnest talk, during which many ideas were put forward, and order +gradually took the place of chaos.</p> + +<p>A knock at the door took Frank thither, for he suspected who the visitor +might prove to be, as he had left word at home to send Hank Brady there, +if he called. Hank was now decently dressed, and his face did not look +so very bad, though it bore a number of scratches.</p> + +<p>"All right, Hank. I'm going with you to the bank. My father knows all +about it, for I thought it best to start square, so that you need not +fear about his finding out anything about your past," he said, shaking +hands with the other.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 37 --><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37" />And he don't give me the shake on that account?" asked Hank eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Of course he doesn't. He even said that what we did was right, and that +he could look back to a day in his boyhood when a kind word started him +along the straight and narrow path. My dad's the right sort, Hank. Serve +him decently, and you'll never want a better friend. But at the same +time he hates deceit, and will not put up with a sneak. You've got the +chance of your life to make good."</p> + +<p>"And I'm going to make good, all right, or bust tryin'. I'll never get +over the white way you fellers acted with me, never, if I live a hundred +years!" said Hank in a broken voice.</p> + +<p>Frank took him over to the bank, where Mr. Langdon was favorably +impressed with his looks, and engaged him, after he had learned what he +knew about the running of a car. Hank had worked in a garage for a year, +and this knowledge was invaluable to him in his business as a chauffeur.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Frank and Bluff started for the city, with a list of +things they believed should be purchased before they went forth upon +their journey. Bluff had in mind a wonderful hunting-knife, with an +ivory handle, a picture of which he had seen in the catalogue of a +sporting goods <!-- Page 38 --><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38" />house, and he was secretly determined to possess such a +magnificent tool.</p> + +<p>"The time might come when a fellow would have only his trusty blade +between himself and death, and then you just bet he wants a good one. +Think of a big grizzly trying to hug you! Where would your little knife +be, then? You'd soon wish you had that Cuban machete that hangs on the +wall of your father's den, Frank," he said, when the other expostulated +with him about purchasing such a murderous-looking weapon.</p> + +<p>And Bluff did buy it, too. All the way home he kept tabs on that +package, and often, when Frank was not looking, he would go through +certain gestures with it gripped in his hand, as though practicing +against that day when the aforesaid grizzly and he would have their +little heated argument for supremacy.</p> + +<p>Jerry, too, either felt shocked at the enormous size of the wonderful +hunting-knife, or else pretended to be. He shrugged his shoulders in +that scornful way he had, and turned his back on the prize Bluff had +drawn.</p> + +<p>"What else could you expect of a man who goes after quail with a Gatling +gun? Why, the poor innocent grizzly will faint dead away at sight of +that cavalry sword. It gives me a cold chill just to look at it," he +observed.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 39 --><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39" />Bluff only laughed.</p> + +<p>"Rank envy eating up your soul, that's all, my boy. Wait till you see me +in action with that razor-edged tool. I'll have you all turning green +with envy yet," he said, fondling the ivory-handled weapon ere he thrust +it back into its sheath.</p> + +<p>The days dragged along. Will counted them, and each night heaved a sigh +of relief that they were a notch nearer the time of departure. Finally +the last night arrived, and their coming tour was to be marked by a +little gathering at the home of Frank, which was intended to be in the +way of a send-off.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V" /><!-- Page 40 --><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40" />CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>WESTWARD BOUND</h3> + + +<p>There were just eight people gathered together that evening to have a +good time. Besides Nellie Langdon, of course, Will's twin sister, +Violet, graced the occasion with her presence; then there came Mame +Crosby, the vivacious girl with the auburn locks, who was so fond of +teasing Jerry; and last, but not least, pretty Susie Prescott, a dainty, +prim little blonde, whom Will considered a bundle of sweetness.</p> + +<p>What a splendid time this congenial little company had! For many a day +the memory of it would follow the four chums while far away.</p> + +<p>All of the "material of war," as Mame called it, had been brought to +Frank's house, so that it might be packed in one big trunk. Thus the +boys would be bothered with only a suitcase and a gun apiece in the long +journey across the continent.</p> + +<p>The girls insisted upon being shown the wonderful aggregation of +clothing and weapons. It <!-- Page 41 --><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41" />was to them very much like a shopping +expedition, and many were the exclamations of awe and curiosity as they +looked upon the exhibition.</p> + +<p>Bluff, of course, was very proud of that wonderful hunting-knife of his. +He even smiled to see the perceptible shudder with which Nellie surveyed +him as he cut imaginary circles in the air with the keen-edged weapon.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope you won't have to use it very often, Bluff! It makes me +shiver just to think of you meeting one of those fierce grizzly bears, +such as I have seen in the menagerie," she said confidentially to him.</p> + +<p>"But you wouldn't have me leave this jewel at home, would you, Nellie?" +he asked in dismay.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! Not for the world!—since you say that perhaps your very life +may depend on having it; but please, Bluff, be very careful. You might +cut yourself by accident, you know, and then—well, your mother and +father would grieve so much if anything happened to you."</p> + +<p>"Well, would you care?" asked Bluff boldly.</p> + +<p>Nellie gave him an arch look and ran down-stairs, as she said that she +was needed just then to superintend the placing of the refreshments on +the table. Bluff laid the wonderful hunting-knife, sheath and all, back +on the stand where his things were gathered, and smiled as if pleased. +He had <!-- Page 42 --><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42" />occasion, later on, to recall each little incident of that +evening, when worrying his mind over a most mysterious thing that +puzzled him.</p> + +<p>The little company separated about eleven, for the boys expected to +leave home long ere noon on the following day, and had a strenuous +journey before them.</p> + +<p>After an early breakfast they gathered at Frank's, where the last +packing was done in hot haste, as the time was short. So it happened +that none of them had more than a confused idea of what was done during +that last hour, save that, some way or other, their things were crammed +into the big trunk.</p> + +<p>"We should have taken two, hang it!" grunted Bluff as he tugged at the +metal catches, while a couple of his mates sat on top to induce the lid +to come down.</p> + +<p>"There! It's all right now!" cried Will, as the click of the catch +announced the desired union.</p> + +<p>So the trunk was snatched up by the waiting men and carried off, to be +taken to the station. Frank and his chums quickly followed. Quite a +gathering of relatives and friends were on hand to see them off.</p> + +<p>Frank was taking a last look into the automobile, to make sure nothing +had been forgotten, <!-- Page 43 --><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43" />when Hank Brady, who seemed to be making good with +his job, plucked at his sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Came near forgetting to say good-by to you, Hank! Hope you get +on fine and dandy while I'm gone," said the boy, holding out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Frank; but I only wanted to say a few words to you about +a brother of mine who is out there somewhere, we believe. Now, I know +the Northwest is a big place, and you might as well think of lookin' for +a needle in a haystack as for a certain feller there; but accidents do +happen, and by some sorter luck you might just happen to run across +Teddy," said Hank quickly, and with a wistful look on his face that held +Frank's attention.</p> + +<p>"And if I do, what then?" he asked softly.</p> + +<p>"Tell him his mother's still a-grievin' after him. You see, he is her +baby, though a big feller for his age, which is seventeen about. He left +us in a huff two years back. We heard in an indirect way several times, +but never straight. She worries when she thinks nobody is a-lookin'. If +Teddy would only write to her I think she'd be kinder reconciled," went +on Hank, heaving a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"All right. If by any good luck I happen to run across your brother, you +can depend on it I'll do my best to make him write. But how am <!-- Page 44 --><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44" />I to +know him among the thousands of people I meet?" remarked Frank as he was +about to turn away.</p> + +<p>"Well, he has—"</p> + +<p>Just then some one pounced on Frank, and dragged him off, so that he +never really knew how he was to recognize this wandering brother of Hank +Brady in case he should meet him.</p> + +<p>The train was almost due, and general good-bys were quickly said. Such a +chattering as ensued, which kept up until the four chums climbed into +the car that was to take them to the nearest city, where they would +board the through train for the Northwest.</p> + +<p>After the last glimpse of their loved ones had been lost by a sudden +bend in the road, they settled down to making themselves comfortable. It +was expected that they would make connection in St. Paul with the +western through train bound for Seattle. Then would begin the grandest +ride on the whole American continent, over boundless plains, and finally +up into the majestic mountains.</p> + +<p>Day and night they would be carried swiftly onward across the many miles +of entrancing scenery. Wonderful sights would fall to their portion.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 45 --><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45" />St. Paul was reached in due season, and once more they started forth, +this time headed west, with the hunting-land beckoning them on.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about this, will you!" remarked Jerry, after they had crossed +the broad prairies and were climbing the tremendous heights that lie +like a barrier between the center of the continent and the Pacific +Slope. "How much more of it do we have before us, Frank? I'm getting so +filled with wonder and awe that my tongue is getting into a rut with +saying 'Ah!' so much."</p> + +<p>"Less than a day will see us through now. Once we get over this range +there lies a long valley, and in that is where Martin Mabie has his +ranch."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll do our hunting along the sides of the mountains?" suggested +Will, who had used up nearly half his supply of films already, taking +views of the wonderful things they saw on the trip.</p> + +<p>"That's my impression, from what he wrote," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"And he also said game was fairly plentiful, if I remember aright," +remarked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Well, he did say that they had been so busy of late on the ranch that +no one had had time for hunting, and consequently the game had not been +<!-- Page 46 --><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46" />bothered very much; which, I suppose, amounts to the same thing."</p> + +<p>"H'm! I hope he won't be so rushed with work that he can't take the time +to go with us. Half of the fun would be lost if Mr. Mabie couldn't be +along; for Jesse says he is the most entertaining man alive," grunted +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you forget that he said by the time we got there the work would +slacken up, and he promised himself a vacation, just to renew his old +pleasure of camping out in the wilderness, away from all mankind," +laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"That relieves my mind some," declared Bluff, brightening up.</p> + +<p>"You're getting tired of all this travel, that's what ails you," said +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"No; it isn't that," remarked Frank. "Bluff has confessed to me that for +the life of him he can't remember putting that beautiful hunting-knife +in the trunk along with his other traps; and if he left <i>that</i> behind, +half his pleasure would be lost. Now you know what's the matter."</p> + +<p>"Not that I wish it to be so, but if such should prove to be the case, +there'll be one delighted grizzly bear out in these same mountains—the +chap Bluff calculated on carving with that big sticker," remarked Jerry +jocosely.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 47 --><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47" />But Bluff would not even smile. Truth to tell, he was counting the +hours until he could open that trunk and relieve his distressed mind.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see a wilder bit of country?" said Frank, peering out into +the gathering dusk, and trying to imagine those wooded hillsides +populated with elk and buffaloes, and all the big game of the past, when +a white man was never known west of the Great Lakes.</p> + +<p>"Well, to tell the truth, I was thinking of that account I read in the +paper we bought, about the work of a sheriff's posse in this region, +chasing the bad men who held up a railroad train not a hundred miles +away from here. It wouldn't be a pleasant experience for us to meet +with, eh, fellows?" asked Will, who was known to have a timid streak in +his make-up.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your croakers!" jeered Jerry. "Will, here, is enough +to freeze the marrow in one's bones. There isn't one chance in a +thousand that such an adventure will come our way, and he knows it."</p> + +<p>"Goodness! What a jar! The engineer must have thrown the air brakes on +then in a big hurry! We're coming to a sudden stop, too! Oh! I wonder if +anything can have happened? Are we going to have an accident, fellows?" +cried Will.</p> + +<p>With much creaking of the wheels the heavy <!-- Page 48 --><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48" />train came to a stop, and at +the same moment the four chums, listening with considerable +apprehension, caught the sound of many loud and excited voices just +outside the car.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI" /><!-- Page 49 --><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49" />CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>AT THE VALLEY RANCH</h3> + + +<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Frank, holding up his hand.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your Tower of Babel! It wasn't in the same class as +that row. Twenty men trying to talk all at once!" growled Jerry, +starting up.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Where are you going?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"Outside, to find out what the trouble is," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"But you may get hurt if those bad men start to shooting up the train," +expostulated the official photographer anxiously.</p> + +<p>Jerry gave a hoarse laugh.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! He actually believes we are going to be +put through a course of 'stand and deliver' by the merry gentlemen of +the road. Why, bless you, my boy, didn't you hear one man say something +about a trestle burn<!-- Page 50 --><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50" />ing just ahead? It spells delay for us, but that's +the worst of the whole affair."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going out, too," declared Will, with sudden zeal, as he +snatched up his camera and threw the strap over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>He scented a chance for a striking picture, and to obtain that Will +would have risked even a possible encounter with train robbers.</p> + +<p>Frank and Bluff would not be left behind, and quickly the entire quartet +had reached the platform. They found that the stop was at a little +country station. A signal had suddenly flashed before the eyes of the +engineer, telling him he must not think of running past, which accounted +for the quick work of the compressed-air brakes.</p> + +<p>No need to tell what was wrong. Up the track a quarter of a mile could +be seen a fire, and one glance was enough to tell the chums that, just +as Jerry had said, a trestle of some sort seemed to be burning.</p> + +<p>Loud shouts attested to the fact that every available man was hurrying +to the scene, in the hope of saving the trestle before it was so far +gone that nothing could be done.</p> + +<p>"Come on, fellows! Our train must stay where it is until this thing is +done burning, one way or the other. Perhaps we can help put the fire out +with buckets."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 51 --><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51" />That was the first thought Frank had, to be of some assistance.</p> + +<p>The four of them ran with the rest of the passengers. Such a spectacle +could not be witnessed every day, and every one was desirous of getting +closer to the scene of action.</p> + +<p>"How did it catch?" asked Frank of a railroad man who was hustling +about, handing buckets to a line of men extending down to the water of +the creek far below.</p> + +<p>"Don't know. Perhaps from sparks left by the six-seventeen freight. Lend +a hand here, lads; we need all the help we can get," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"Sure! That's what we came for. Get along, boys, and pass these +buckets!" cried Jerry, suiting the action to the words.</p> + +<p>Once the string of buckets got to going, and the contents began to be +cast upon the creeping flames, there sprang up a hope that the trestle +might be saved.</p> + +<p>Seeing this, the workers redoubled their efforts, and faster rose the +full buckets, the empties going down at the same rate. It is really +astonishing what a large amount of water can be carried by such an +endless chain.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! We're besting it, lads! Keep it <!-- Page 52 --><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52" />up!" shouted the agent, who +was the man Frank had first addressed.</p> + +<p>Will had not joined the relay. There seemed to be plenty of recruits +without him, and, truth to tell, he was bent on getting a picture of the +scene. Doubtless many present were startled by a sudden brilliant +illumination as he set off his flashlight cartridge; but those who were +in ignorance as to what it meant were soon set wise by others.</p> + +<p>Once they began to get the upper hand of the fire it became easy. +Fortunately, there was not a breath of wind at the time. Had it been +otherwise, no efforts on their part could have saved the trestle.</p> + +<p>"I should think they would have them all of steel!" gasped Bluff, as he +labored away, passing endless buckets up and down.</p> + +<p>"Most of them are, I understand, but in this case, you see, it is a long +stretch, and perhaps it wasn't thought necessary," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"We're going to save it, all right; but I wonder if our train dare pass +over? It seems to me the fire must have weakened the structure more or +less," remarked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, they'll find some means of strengthening it in that case. I'm +only worrying about <!-- Page 53 --><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53" />the delay. Mr. Mabie will have to wait so long."</p> + +<p>"But, Frank, they must wire the news, and he will know the reason for +our hold-up," said Will quickly, and the others all agreed that this +must be so.</p> + +<p>Less than an hour later the last spark had been extinguished. Then men +climbed all over the trestle to ascertain just how much it had been +weakened by the fire.</p> + +<p>There was a difference of opinion among them, some declaring that it was +as good as ever, and the others shaking their heads solemnly, as they +prophesied all manner of dire things if the through train, with its +heavy sleepers, attempted to go over.</p> + +<p>While some gangs of men were hastily bracing up a weak spot with what +material lay close at hand, kept for an emergency of this sort, a +freight train that happened to be on a siding at the station, was pushed +out on the trestle to discover how the situation stood.</p> + +<p>The chums watched operations with their hearts in their mouths, +figuratively speaking; but no catastrophe followed, and it began to +appear that, after all, the express might pass over in safety.</p> + +<p>Another trial was given, this time with the heavy freight engine +attached to some of the <!-- Page 54 --><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54" />largest flats, laden with steel beams. The +trestle bore the strain handsomely.</p> + +<p>"That settles it, fellows. Back to our car for us. We're going across!" +sang out Jerry as he turned and made off down the track.</p> + +<p>"How long were we here?" asked Bluff, sighing, and they knew he was +thinking again of the weary hours that must elapse ere he could open +that big trunk in order to ascertain whether his fears in connection +with that beloved hunting-knife had any foundation or not.</p> + +<p>"Three hours, about. Give them another half hour to get moving, and +there you are. Hark! The engineer has started to whistle. That is to +tell the passengers a start is intended; and here they come, rushing +pell-mell, fearful of getting left." And Frank laughed at the energy +displayed by some of those who had been aboard.</p> + +<p>It was a critical time when the train slowly pushed out upon the long +trestle. Everybody doubtless held their breath, and doubtless many a +heart throbbed with suspense.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, boys! We're safely over!" exclaimed Jerry, as, looking +out of the open window, he could see that they had passed the critical +stage.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm so glad! I don't know when I've <!-- Page 55 --><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55" />felt such a flutter about my +heart. But, anyway, I secured a cracking good snapshot of that burning +bridge. Every time we look at it we can remember our hold-up," observed +Will, sighing with relief.</p> + +<p>It was now about ten o'clock at night, and on account of the delay, +travel was more or less congested along the line.</p> + +<p>Frank, upon making inquiries, learned that they would not arrive at +their destination until about daybreak, and so he and his chums went to +their berths to secure what sleep was possible.</p> + +<p>Frank had them up in good time, and long before dawn they were fully +dressed, awaiting the arrival of the train at the valley station with +impatience.</p> + +<p>"Another hour now, and then I shall know," Bluff was saying to himself.</p> + +<p>"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Jerry, who happened to overhear him. "And +for the peace of the party, I do hope the first thing you see when you +open your bag will be that awful sword."</p> + +<p>"We're stopping, fellows!" cried Will, trembling with eagerness.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later they jumped down from the train.</p> + +<p>"Hello, boys! Glad to see you! Better late than never!" said a hearty +voice, and then they <!-- Page 56 --><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56" />found themselves shaking hands with a big man, +whose gray-bearded face seemed to be a picture of good nature.</p> + +<p>Of course, this was Mr. Mabie, the ranchman. He saw to it that their big +trunk was dropped off the baggage car, to be seized by a couple of +cowboys and hustled on to the back of a long buckboard wagon, drawn by a +couple of skittish horses.</p> + +<p>Then they were off, not five minutes after the train had pulled out.</p> + +<p>"Here, Reddy," said Mr. Mabie to the young driver, "let me make you +acquainted with some good fellows about your own age," and he introduced +them one after another.</p> + +<p>Frank saw that the cowboy was well named, for he had quite a fiery +thatch; but his freckled face seemed one of the sort that invited +confidence, and Frank believed he would like the other right well. Of +course, Reddy was attired as all well-ordered cowboys should be. Will +was secretly wild for a chance to introduce him in some picture.</p> + +<p>"It will give such a pleasing variety to our book of views, for we +haven't got a single cowboy in between the covers," he said in an aside +to Frank.</p> + +<p>They followed up the valley for over an hour. The ranch was miles +removed from the railway, <!-- Page 57 --><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57" />and surrounded by the wildest scenery the +boys could remember having looked upon, and that was saying a good deal, +after such a journey.</p> + +<p>Martin Mabie was a widower, without any family. Still, he had a number +of women folks on the place, a sister keeping house for him, with a +Chinese cook to attend to the kitchen part of the establishment.</p> + +<p>"Ain't this immense?" remarked Bluff, as he waited impatiently for the +men to carry the big trunk indoors, so that he could satisfy his soul +about the one object that had been worrying him ever since leaving +Centerville.</p> + +<p>Somehow or other they seemed slow about doing this. The horses had to be +attended to first of all. Then there seemed to be some sort of +excitement in the neighborhood of the corral, for the boys noticed a +mounted cowboy come dashing up and jump from his steed, which was +blowing hard, as if from a rapid dash.</p> + +<p>He wondered if this sort of thing was of daily occurrence on the big +ranch, which took in the whole valley for miles, and extended even up +along the sides of the mountains on either hand.</p> + +<p>"What ails the fellow, I wonder?" observed Jerry, who, it seems, had +also noticed the rush of the newcomer.</p> + +<p>"From the way he bolted into the office where <!-- Page 58 --><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58" />Mr. Mabie went, I imagine +he must have brought important news of some sort," remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps our very introduction to the Big M Ranch is going to be in a +whirl of excitement, fellows. I've noticed that somehow we seem to stir +up things wherever we go; not that we mean to have things happen, but +they just pick out such a time to play hob," said Jerry, shaking his +head as if thoroughly convinced.</p> + +<p>"Here comes Mr. Mabie, hurrying this way!" declared Bluff, beginning to +forget his other anxiety for the time being in this new mystery.</p> + +<p>"And there goes the cowboy back to the horse corral. He's shouting +something, too, and as sure as you live every man is jumping to get a +horse handy between his legs. Look at them slapping saddles on! Why, +they'll be off like the wind! Boys, something is up! I know it!"</p> + +<p>Frank and his chums saw several cowboys dash away as though possessed, +shouting, and waving their hats in a reckless manner, as if about to +charge an enemy who had designs on the cattle of the ranch.</p> + +<p>"Whatever can it mean?" said Will again.</p> + +<p>"For the life of me I can't imagine," returned Frank, sorely puzzled.</p> + +<p>"But we'll soon know, fellows, for here comes <!-- Page 59 --><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59" />Mr. Mabie, and he's +swinging his hat as though just as excited as the balance of the crowd. +Whatever it is, he means to tell us!" cried Jerry, his eyes glowing with +the nerve-racking anxiety.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII" /><!-- Page 60 --><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60" />CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE GRIZZLY AT BAY</h3> + + +<p>"Boys, do you want to see some fun?" called the ranchman as he came up.</p> + +<p>"Always ready for that sort of thing, sir. What's going on?" asked +Frank.</p> + +<p>"An old friend of ours, whom we call 'Mountain Charlie,' has broken +bounds at last, and is even now trying to drag one of my best yearlings +off to the mountain canyon where he has his den," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"Mountain Charlie?" repeated Frank, mystified.</p> + +<p>"And has a den in the mountains, too! What sort of a beast is that? Or +can it be a wild man?" asked Bluff.</p> + +<p>The ranchman laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"I forgot you were tenderfeet, boys. We call a grizzly by that name out +here. This fellow we have known for some time. Hunting him has never +proven a profitable business, and, as <!-- Page 61 --><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61" />a rule, he has never before come +so far out in the open; but hunger tempted the old chap, and the man who +galloped in told me he was even then dragging the yearling he had killed +in the direction of the hills."</p> + +<p>"Oh! if we could only get there in time to see them shoot him!" +exclaimed Will, hitching his camera a little closer to his body.</p> + +<p>"That's just what you're going to see. I sent word that he was not to be +hurt until we arrived. Horses are being hitched up for us all. I suppose +you can ride, boys?" inquired the owner of the ranch.</p> + +<p>"To a certain extent, though I suppose your cowboys will think us pretty +punky at it," answered Jerry.</p> + +<p>"But we mean to learn everything we can while here," piped up Bluff +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Good for you! These horses are only old plugs, however, so there's no +fear of them running away with you; and here they come."</p> + +<p>Several cowboys came toward them, each leading a number of horses. Frank +thought that for "old plugs," the four intended for himself and chums +possessed considerable of the fire that had animated them in other +years.</p> + +<p>"Up you go, boys. Take your pick. Then we're off."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 62 --><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62" />Each seized upon the nearest animal, and, making use of the stirrup, +threw himself into the saddle. As Jerry had said, all of them had +frequently ridden at home, and indeed considered that they knew as much +about a saddle as the average boy of the East; but that amounted to very +little out here, where every one almost lived upon the back of a +broncho.</p> + +<p>"Wow! But this is going some!" said Jerry as the whole group dashed +madly up the valley.</p> + +<p>"I only hope I don't lose my camera in the rush," came from Will, who +was having troubles of his own in the rear.</p> + +<p>"Look ahead, fellows! You can see what's going on, now!" called Frank, +who kept alongside the ranchman in the lead.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's the bear, as sure as you live!" Bluff gasped.</p> + +<p>"But what's he trying to do? First he rushes one way, and then turns +around to make a bolt at the other side. He must be getting rattled."</p> + +<p>"Don't you see, Jerry, they've got him lassoed? He wants to tackle any +one of those three cowboys, but he just can't, with as many ropes +pulling him in three directions."</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about that, will you, Frank!" cried Jerry. "I never expected +to see a grizzly bear held up in a rope like a steer. Look at the game +<!-- Page 63 --><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63" />little ponies on their haunches, and holding like fun. They seem +somewhat scared, too, pard. Between you and me, I don't blame 'em a bit. +I'd hate to think that big beast was aiming to get a grip on me."</p> + +<p>It was just as Jerry said. The cowboys had headed the grizzly off so +that he was unable to gain the safety of the wild mountain gorges. +Doubtless he had been loth to leave his prey at the approach of the +riders, and this had contributed to his final undoing.</p> + +<p>One after another three of them had dropped their ropes over the head of +the grizzly as he reared himself on his hind legs. The lariats stretched +like piano wires under the strain, and as the cowboys had taken up +positions in a sort of triangle they could keep the bear from making any +sort of rush.</p> + +<p>"Watch and see the fun," said Mr. Mabie, who had made sure to fetch his +rifle along when coming from the ranch house; but he did not seem in any +hurry to utilize the same.</p> + +<p>Will, of course, immediately made good use of his camera.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, wilder grew the exertions of the trapped grizzly. He was +snarling with rage. The foam gathered about his mouth, and Frank +shud<!-- Page 64 --><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64" />dered as he saw the cruel teeth, not to speak of the long, deadly +and poisonous claws.</p> + +<p>"Hey, Bluff! If you only had that gentle little knife of yours handy, +now would be a fine chance to rush in and have a tussle with that meek +grizzly! You know you told us all just how you meant to slay the +jabbercock with one straight blow."</p> + +<p>Bluff did not make any verbal reply to this unkind thrust on the part of +Jerry, but Frank, looking at him, saw that his face was deadly pale, and +that he was staring at the terrible monster with whom the reckless +cowboys were playing as a cat does with a mouse. He knew Bluff was +feeling a chill at the thought of such a tragedy happening as his having +an encounter with a beast like that.</p> + +<p>"What if the ropes should break?" asked Frank as the captive made a more +ferocious rush than usual, and the pony on the other side was dragged +several feet.</p> + +<p>"Then there would be somewhat of a mix-up, and a case of every man for +himself. They'd expect me to show that I hadn't altogether forgotten my +craft in connection with handling a rifle. Once I used to be a crack +shot, but lack of experience plays hob with a man's nerves," replied +<!-- Page 65 --><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65" />Mr. Mabie, as he sat upon his steed and played with the repeating rifle +he held.</p> + +<p>"I see you are enjoying the situation, boys. Would one of you like to +wind him up?" and the ranchman turned to Frank.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I would, sir," laughed that worthy.</p> + +<p>"How about you, Jerry?"</p> + +<p>"I've often dreamed of shooting such game, but excuse me, Mr. Mabie, it +would be too much like the butcher business to please me," observed the +other.</p> + +<p>At this the stockman laughed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can understand that principle of honor in a true sportsman, my +lad, and I must say it does you credit; but when you come to know +grizzlies better, and appreciate their terrible strength, you'll agree +with the rest of us that a man has to forget such things when he gets a +chance to puncture the hide of so fierce a monster as this old rogue. He +could kill a horse with a single blow, or tear one into shreds with +those claws. If I can get my mount to go a little closer, I'll try to +wind him up with a single ball, but it's difficult to shoot from the +back of a nervous pony."</p> + +<p>He began to speak to his steed, which was striking the turf with its +hoofs, and champing at <!-- Page 66 --><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66" />the bit, as if terrified at such close proximity +to, an animal so greatly to be dreaded.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly there was a wild shout from the cowboys, and Frank, +looking, saw one of them whirling his horse in wild flight, and dashing +toward the group. He seemed to guess instinctively what had +happened—the rope of the opposite rider must have broken under the +tremendous strain. This really left the grizzly free, and, filled with +mad rage, he was galloping straight toward them!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII" /><!-- Page 67 --><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67" />CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>BLUFF MISSES SOMETHING</h3> + + +<p>"Look out there!" shouted one of the cowboys.</p> + +<p>"Run, boys!" exclaimed Frank as he started to turn his pony around so as +to get beyond reach of the rapidly advancing bear.</p> + +<p>He had just succeeded in doing this, and even started to gallop away, +when he saw a sight that almost froze the blood in his veins.</p> + +<p>Jerry had, of course, intended doing a similar vamoosing stunt. It +happened, however, that his horse was more frightened than those of the +others. When he jerked at the bridle the beast whirled with such a +vicious fling that the boy, totally unprepared for such a move, and +unable to get the grip with his knees that a cowboy always secures, went +toppling over his head.</p> + +<p>Frank, looking over his shoulder as he was borne rapidly away by his own +alarmed steed, saw Jerry scramble to his knees. At any rate, he thought +with relief, the other had escaped a broken neck in his ugly tumble.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 68 --><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68" />Still, with that enraged grizzly bearing swiftly down upon him, in +spite of the one rope that still held taut, the position of poor Jerry +was not the most pleasant in the world.</p> + +<p>Frank's first and only inspiration was to turn his horse around and rush +back to the assistance of his chum. It never occurred to him that being +without his own rifle, he would only be adding to the trouble by +offering Bruin a double sacrifice.</p> + +<p>His pony, however, offered serious objections to facing that roaring +hurricane of a beast. Despite Frank's most strenuous efforts, he could +only twist the animal's head around, but not a step would the frightened +beast approach. Dancing there, he snorted his distrust and alarm.</p> + +<p>But Frank plucked up new hope. He at the same time saw something else +that gave another aspect to the case. Jerry was not to be left alone to +his fate.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for Mr. Mabie!"</p> + +<p>In his excitement Frank let out this shout. It was caused by seeing the +ranchman leap from the back of his own horse and rapidly run back toward +the spot where Jerry crouched, apparently too winded to get to his feet +and try flight.</p> + +<p>Now Mr. Mabie had reached the boy, and the barrier of his heavy +repeating rifle would be be<!-- Page 69 --><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69" />tween Jerry and the grizzly. Frank expected +to see the stockman drop on one knee and take aim at the bear, now very +close to the two dismounted ones. Nothing of the kind occurred. On the +contrary, he saw Mr. Mabie thrust the rifle into the hands of the boy, +who seemed to seize it eagerly.</p> + +<p>Jerry had declined to shoot the grizzly when the beast was held by a +cordon of riatas. The conditions were now considerably altered, for the +huge animal was rapidly bearing down upon him, with the fire of +destruction in his small, blazing eyes. It was a case of bringing his +advance to a speedy stop, or suffering the consequences.</p> + +<p>Frank's heart thrilled with pride as he saw his chum throw the rifle up +to his shoulder and glance along the glistening barrel. Mr. Mabie had +shown wonderful confidence in the boy's nerve to thus place the solution +of the problem in Jerry's hands.</p> + +<p>Holding his breath, as he still tugged at the mouth of his refractory +mount, Frank saw the smoke shoot out from the muzzle of the gun as the +report sounded.</p> + +<p>"Whoop! He's down!" shrieked a cowboy curveting near by.</p> + +<p>"Take care! He's coming again, Jerry!" shouted Frank.</p> + +<p>The bear had rolled over at the shot, but being <!-- Page 70 --><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70" />one of the toughest +animals in the world, he had immediately gained his feet again, and was +once more advancing.</p> + +<p>But Jerry knew what to do, even though he had never met quarry of this +caliber before. He pumped another cartridge into the chamber, +deliberately took aim, with apparently little show of excitement, and +fired again.</p> + +<p>Once more the grizzly stumbled and fell. When he tried to get up again +he did not seem equal to the effort.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie was shaking the hand of the young Nimrod with great +enthusiasm. Perhaps he had purposely tried the nerve of Jerry, to find +out what manner of boys these were, of whom old Jesse Wilcox spoke so +well.</p> + +<p>Now that the monster was dead, the ponies consented to draw somewhat +closer; but the boys had to dismount, and hand over their steeds to a +cowman when they wished to reach the spot where the victim of the hunt +lay.</p> + +<p>Will, with his camera, was, of course, in evidence.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have missed that for a cookie!" he declared. "And if that +frightened horse had only allowed me to take a crack at the time the old +hermit toppled over, I'd be ever so much happier."</p> + +<p>Frank, remembering how the other had been <!-- Page 71 --><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71" />forced to clasp his arms +around the neck of his frantic steed at the time, smiled at the +impossibility of such a thing coming about.</p> + +<p>"Give us a grip of your paw, old fellow!" cried Bluff, rushing up, +brimming over with enthusiasm and admiration. "I'll sure never forget +that sight! And he did the Rod, Gun and Camera Club proud when he used +your weapon, didn't he, Mr. Mabie?"</p> + +<p>"I knew he would," was the quiet remark of the stockman; and Frank +understood that the other had been forming a favorable opinion of the +chums from the minute he saw them come off the train.</p> + +<p>"Would you like that skin to remember the event by, Jerry?" Mr. Mabie +asked, a little later, while they were watching the cowboys remove the +hide.</p> + +<p>"It would give my mother a cold chill to see it, if she ever heard the +story; but then we have a clubroom over our boathouse, and I guess it +would look nice there. So, since you are so kind as to offer it, I'll +say yes, Mr. Mabie."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should remark that we'd never forgive you if you let that +chance slip. It looks as though our big-game trip might pan out +something worth while, after all," observed Bluff.</p> + +<p>"You do everything on a big scale out here <!-- Page 72 --><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72" />in the Northwest, sir. The +fields of wheat are tremendous, the distances immense, the mountains +higher than any in the East, by long odds; and the game the biggest in +the whole country," remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>"And in this bracing air we hope to raise the finest crop of boys in the +world. But let's return to the house, lads. It's time we had a bite, for +I'm sure your appetites must be sharpened by this little adventure."</p> + +<p>The ranchman cast many a secret admiring glance toward Jerry as they +rode home. He fell back with Frank on purpose to speak his mind, while +the other three galloped on ahead, laughing and shouting, as boys off on +a vacation always do.</p> + +<p>"I like that chap, Jerry," he remarked earnestly. "He's a lad after my +own heart. What he said about not wanting to shoot defenceless game gave +me a wrench, for we cherish notions along that same line up here in the +wilderness. Of course, the grizzly, as I said, does not come under that +law, for he's too terrible a customer to be given much rope."</p> + +<p>"Sometimes he takes his own rope," laughed Frank, secretly delighted to +hear this honest praise of his chum.</p> + +<p>"Which is quite true for you, Frank. That <!-- Page 73 --><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73" />cowboy will not soon get over +the humiliation of having his lariat give way. He feels very sore about +it now," remarked the stockman, casting a side look toward where a +couple of his herders were wrangling over something as they brought up +the rear.</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad you gave Jerry that chance. He's the most enthusiastic +sportsman I ever met, and so honorable in his dealings with the wearers +of fin, fur and feather. No danger of the woods ever being depopulated +while he's around," Frank said, with his customary generous view of +anything that concerned his chums.</p> + +<p>"It was what you may call an inspiration. My first idea, of course, was +to cover the boy and face the bear. I did not doubt my own ability to +down him, but somehow I was tempted to take chances with the lad. I'm +glad now I did it. He stood the racket like a veteran. I'd be a happy +man if I'd only been left a boy like your chum for my own."</p> + +<p>The ranchman spurred on ahead at this, and Frank made no effort to +overtake him, for he felt sure he had seen tears glistening in the +other's eyes, and could appreciate his feelings, for the stockman's only +child, a boy, at that, lay with the mother in the ranch cemetery.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was ready for them, and what a <!-- Page 74 --><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74" />glorious meal the boys made! +Just as Mr. Mabie had said, they proved as hungry as wolves. That clear +mountain air seemed to tone them up after their long railway journey, +and Frank laughingly declared their host had better send away for a new +stock of provisions if he expected to keep them satisfied.</p> + +<p>Bluff was the first to leave the table. Frank had seen him eating +hurriedly toward the close of the meal. He knew without being told what +ailed his comrade.</p> + +<p>"He'll never be happy until he gets it, fellows!" sang out Jerry, who, +of course, had also noticed the hurried departure of the anxious one.</p> + +<p>They could hear Bluff tossing things around hurriedly in the other room, +where they expected to bunk, and to which the big trunk had been finally +carried.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later, Frank, remembering that a great silence had fallen +over the neighboring apartment, stole softly to the door and looked in. +He saw a picture of abject dejection there—Bluff sitting on the floor, +in the midst of piles of garments, clothes bags, and all manner of +things, frowning and shaking his head, as if he had lost his last +friend.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" demanded Frank, drawing nearer.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 75 --><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75" />Matter enough," answered the disconsolate one, sighing heavily. "Why, +after all my trouble and everything, I've gone and left that knife at +home, and now my whole trip is going to be spoiled for me. I just seemed +to feel that something was bound to happen to upset my calculations. I +might as well go back, that's what," said Bluff, gritting his teeth in +his spasm of disgust.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX" /><!-- Page 76 --><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76" />CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>FRANK HAS HIS TURN</h3> + + +<p>"Oh, humbug! There are other knives," remarked Frank cheerily.</p> + +<p>"Not like that one," said Bluff dismally.</p> + +<p>"No doubt Mr. Mabie will lend you a good one while you're here."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's awfully kind, but it wouldn't be that knife," groaned the +bereaved Bluff.</p> + +<p>"When do you remember seeing it last?" demanded Frank, as a suspicion +darted into his brain that was connected with Jerry.</p> + +<p>On one of their former camping trips Jerry had professed to entertain a +decided antipathy toward a repeating shotgun of modern make that Bluff +had bought. He declared that it was a shame for one who called himself a +sportsman to handle so destructive a weapon. When a chance came, he hid +the gun in a box that held some of their superfluous things. Later, upon +trying to find it, in order to give it back, he learned that it <!-- Page 77 --><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77" />was +missing, and Bluff had to go without his gun until the hunt was nearly +over, when it was discovered in the woods, where the thief had dropped +it.</p> + +<p>Frank wondered if Jerry was concerned in the mysterious vanishing of the +wonderful hunting-knife. He had laughed at its tremendous proportions +and ornate handle. Still, it did not seem reasonable to believe that +Jerry would be guilty of a second trick along those same lines.</p> + +<p>"I was trying to remember. You know we were showing our things to the +girls?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe we were," smiled Frank; for he could still see Bluff +flourishing his precious knife, sheath and all, for the entertainment of +Nellie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't remember for the life of me seeing it again after that. +You know we packed in a big hurry in the morning. I may have laid it +aside, intending that it would go in on top, and then overlooked it. +Such a fool play, too, when that was the prize of the whole collection!" +groaned Bluff.</p> + +<p>"And you've looked over the whole outfit here, have you?" Frank +continued, surveying the piled-up mess of stuff.</p> + +<p>"Yes; three separate times. Oh, there's no getting around it, I've made +a goose of myself, and <!-- Page 78 --><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78" />you know how I wanted to use that trusty blade +so much. Of course, I won't think of moping in my tent. I'll borrow a +knife, and perhaps it will do me good service; but nothing can ever take +the place of that beautiful piece of steel."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get these things in something like order before the boys +come in. Sort out what belongs to you, and chuck the balance of your +extra clothes in your own bag, for I see that you've had most of them +out"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I even wondered if I could have stuck that knife in among my other +shirts and underclothes, but it isn't there. I'll have to stand it, but +you fellows will never know what a loss this is to me. Coming all this +distance, too, just to get a chance to use it on an elk, or something +worth while."</p> + +<p>Frank thought that if Bluff had his way his mates would at least never +have a chance to forget about his great loss, for he was apt to remind +them of it every little while.</p> + +<p>Will now came bustling in, anxious to ascertain if his little developing +outfit came through safely, together with his packages of hypo and other +necessities.</p> + +<p>It was decided to put in that day around the ranch seeing how Mr. Mabie +ran his business. Then on the following morning a party of them +<!-- Page 79 --><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79" />intended to set out for a camp in the mountains, where game would +likely be found.</p> + +<p>"We'll occupy three camps I have in view. From the first we can go to +the second by taking several bullboats that will be waiting for us, and +shooting the rapids in the river. That would be an experience you boys +might enjoy," remarked the stockman as they rode around the valley to +get a comprehensive grasp upon the way in which this enterprising +settler carried on a big cattle ranch.</p> + +<p>Reddy seemed to have been picked out by the owner to keep with them. +Frank was glad of this, for somehow he had come to entertain a fancy for +the smiling young cowboy.</p> + +<p>"Rapids, did you say?" exclaimed Jerry, his face lighting up with +rapture. "Why, that would tickle us from the ground up. I've always +wanted to run through some little Niagara. Frank, here, has done it up +in Maine, so he tells us. I hope what you have will beat his experience +all hollow."</p> + +<p>"Well, they are some rapids, I understand," replied the other, smiling.</p> + +<p>"And if I could only be on the shore, to see you shoot down, it would +afford me the greatest pleasure in the world. Not that I don't want to +go through, too, but my first duty is toward se<!-- Page 80 --><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80" />curing all these +wonderful events in an imperishable way by taking a picture. Some +scoffers may doubt a story, but pictures never lie."</p> + +<p>"That shows your innocence, Will," remarked Jerry. "Why, I've seen +fellows standing beside the fish they caught, which I knew myself to be +only ten inches long, and yet the cunning photographer had arranged it +so that it looked all of two feet."</p> + +<p>"I'm surprised that you, with all your experience, shouldn't know that," +said Frank, pretending to frown.</p> + +<p>"You mistook my meaning, that's all. What I intended to say was that +<i>my</i> pictures would never lie," affirmed Will sturdily.</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear! Somebody rub him on the back, please! But joking aside, +Will, I'm ready to back you up on that score. The only fault I find with +you is your ambition to take a fellow in every pickle he happens to drop +into," and Jerry made a wry face as he remembered a number of scenes in +which he had figured, that were wont to excite his chums to uproarious +laughter at such times as they looked at the faithful reproductions in +their album at the clubhouse.</p> + +<p>In this pleasant way the day passed, and evening found them eager to +complete their preparations for the morrow. Mr. Mabie answered <!-- Page 81 --><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81" />every +question fired at him by the anxious young sportsmen, especially Bluff, +who wanted to know everything connected with the game they expected to +hunt.</p> + +<p>"He's trying to forget his great disappointment," said Frank as he and +Jerry watched the other plying Mr. Mabie with these queries; for Bluff +was the son of a lawyer, and would never take things for granted.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Jerry, for no one had been told about the loss that +had come to Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Can't find that knife of his anywhere, it seems, and believes he must +have left it behind. He was looking mighty blue when I found him in the +room, with all our stuff tumbled, pell-mell, out of the trunk."</p> + +<p>Frank eyed his chum as he spoke. Jerry turned a little red.</p> + +<p>"Not guilty, Frank! I give you my word I never touched the measly old +knife. I'm sorry for him, too, for he seemed so bent on doing great +stunts with it. I'll take a look myself," he said hastily, and yet +meeting his chum's gaze in such a straightforward fashion that Frank +never doubted his word for an instant.</p> + +<p>"No use doing that. He rooted the whole outfit over. The knife is gone, +and that's sure! I've been thinking some about it."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 82 --><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82" />And had a bright idea, I warrant. What's your solution of the +mystery?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, Jerry, I can clearly recollect Nellie's startled look +when Bluff showed her that terribly large knife. She's afraid of such +things. I'm sure she must have worried some about it, and I was +thinking—"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"That perhaps she may have considered it prudent to hide it away so that +he couldn't find it again. I believe she would in my case, anyhow. It +would be just like Nellie."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, it doesn't matter much, only Bluff is such a fellow to hang +on a thing he'll never give us any peace about it. Have you asked Will?" +said Jerry.</p> + +<p>"No. I will, though; but I don't think he would bother his head about a +dozen knives. If it were a camera, now, or a rapid-action rectilinear +lens, you could depend on him to take notice."</p> + +<p>Frank was as good as his word. Will denied having touched the article in +question, and said he was sorry to hear Bluff would be deprived of a +pleasure.</p> + +<p>And so for the time being the mystery remained such, with Bluff +occasionally digging into that trunk in a vain search, and always +sighing <!-- Page 83 --><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83" />mournfully because he failed to bring the lost treasure to +light.</p> + +<p>The boys bunked in one big room. It was very much like a picnic for +them, and would often bring back pleasant memories whenever they looked +at the rather clever view Will managed to get of the interior, with his +chums and himself lolling there.</p> + +<p>In the morning there was pretty much of a bustle around the ranch house.</p> + +<p>"Ready, boys?" called Mr. Mabie, as he appeared with his gun strapped +across his back, as the easiest way of carrying it.</p> + +<p>A chorus of affirmatives greeted his question.</p> + +<p>"Then mount, and we'll be off. They've gone on ahead last night with the +tents and foodstuff, so that we'll find things in pretty much shipshape +when we get on the ground."</p> + +<p>"Say, they do things right out in this big country, eh?" said Bluff to +Frank as the two of them galloped off in company.</p> + +<p>The morning was fair and the air sharp enough to be bracing.</p> + +<p>"Never saw anything to equal the atmosphere here," remarked Frank as +their host came alongside. "There seems to be a tonic in it that even we +do not have up in Maine or the Adirondacks. It makes you feel like +shouting all the time."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 84 --><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84" />Everybody says the same when they first come. Presently you will grow +accustomed to its invigorating tone, and quiet down. It is caused by the +dry air. We are a long way from the Atlantic, and these mighty mountains +to the west act as a buffer to the moisture-laden air from the Pacific."</p> + +<p>Crossing the valley, they were soon penetrating among the foothills at +the base of the great uplifts, the tops of which bore eternal snow.</p> + +<p>Wilder grew the scenery as they penetrated deeper into the wilderness. +Frank and his chums were almost awed by the grandeur of their +surroundings. At the same time, Jerry kept an eager eye on the watch for +signs of game. The sportsman spirit was strong in his nature, and +generally forged to the front.</p> + +<p>It was Frank, however, who first chanced to spy something that excited +his attention.</p> + +<p>"What is that moving up yonder, Mr. Mabie? There! Look! I declare if it +didn't jump straight across from that high rock to the other! Is that a +Rocky Mountain sheep, sir?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is, my lad; and if you feel inclined, there is a chance +for you to get a shot at it," came the quick reply.</p> + +<p>"I would like it, first rate," declared Frank, <!-- Page 85 --><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85" />immediately changing his +rifle from his back to his hands.</p> + +<p>"All right, then. Listen, and I'll tell you how it may be done. We'll +rest our horses right here, for the last climb over this rough ridge to +the bank of the swift river lying between. You drop down here and make +your way along until you can get a chance to shoot. It will be a long +shot, remember, so make allowances; and the wind is with you, not +against you."</p> + +<p>"I'll try my best, sir," said Frank, slipping off his horse.</p> + +<p>"Be very careful as you crawl along, for a slip might cost you your +life," were the last words he heard the stockman say as he began to +descend the little declivity in order to make his way along its base, so +as to remain concealed from the quarry.</p> + +<p>Frank was careful as well as quick in his movements. Again and again he +peeped out to see what the mountain sheep was doing. So far as he could +learn, the animal seemed to be centering its attention on the caravan +that had halted. Three times it moved its position, and once he was just +in time to see it make a most dazzling leap, which he hoped Will might +have caught with his quick-action lens.</p> + +<p>Finally, having gained a place where he had <!-- Page 86 --><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86" />a fine view of the animal +standing there across the gorge, Frank sank down so as to get a good +aim. Not quite satisfied, he crawled forward a little further, and then +proceeded to put his fortune to the test.</p> + +<p>Never had he calculated more exactly just how he should aim in order to +bring the success he craved. When he pressed the trigger he was thrilled +to see the mountain sheep give a wild spring into the air and then fall +over the edge of the platform. This time its spring lacked the buoyancy +of life, and Frank knew that his bullet had reached its billet.</p> + +<p>But he had no time to exult, for as he moved he felt the ground slipping +from under him, and realized that nothing could interpose to prevent his +falling into the deep gorge!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X" /><!-- Page 87 --><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87" />CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE YOUNG HUNTER AND THE ELK</h3> + + +<p>There are times when one acts from instinct alone. Frank had no time to +think, when he felt himself going down with some loose earth and stones +into the wide canyon. He simply threw his rifle back of him, so that he +might save it from falling, and at the same time have the free use of +both hands.</p> + +<p>He fell a dozen feet or so, along with the loose soil and rocks he had +caused to give way under his weight. Then, by some happy accident, his +outstretched hands closed upon a bush that was growing from the rough +face of the wall, and to this he clung with desperation.</p> + +<p>It threatened to come loose with each movement he made, and yet he was +bound to find some niche for his dangling feet, so as to relieve the +bush from a part of his weight.</p> + +<p>He had heard the loud outcries of his friends, and knew they must be +hastening to his relief.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 88 --><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88" />If he could only hold on for five minutes all might be well.</p> + +<p>Below lay quite an abyss, and a fall was apt to bruise him very much, +even if he were fortunate enough not to have any bones broken. It was, +therefore, with considerable gratitude that he discovered he could dig +his toes into crevices in the rock, and thus hang on.</p> + +<p>Jerry afterward declared that Frank presented all the appearance of a +fly plastered against a wall; but it might have been noticed that he was +the first one to reach the edge of the platform and breathe encouraging +words to his endangered chum.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie knew what would be needed before he made the first movement.</p> + +<p>"Bring your rope, Reddy!" he shouted, and the agile cowboy had obeyed.</p> + +<p>This was quickly lowered until the noose dangled below Frank.</p> + +<p>"Use one foot to draw it in, my boy. We want you to get both legs inside +the loop, and then gradually let us draw it up under your arms. It's all +right. We're going to have you out of that, so don't worry!" called the +ranchman.</p> + +<p>"You can depend on it, Frank isn't frightened. If that bush threatens to +go, get a quick grip of <!-- Page 89 --><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89" />the rope! Do you understand, Frank?" called +Jerry.</p> + +<p>A quick nod of the head told that the one below realized he was as good +as drawn up already. One foot was cautiously withdrawn from its support +and the loop caught; then the second also passed inside the circle; +after which a tightening of the lariat brought it up to where Mr. Mabie +wanted to have it.</p> + +<p>"Now here you come, my boy!" he called cheerily.</p> + +<p>Frank let go his frenzied clutch, and swung into space; but willing +hands quickly drew him up until he stood with his chums.</p> + +<p>"Did I get him?" was the first question he asked, at which the stockman +laughed heartily and patted him on the back.</p> + +<p>"Spoken like a true sportsman, I declare! How about it, Reddy?" he said.</p> + +<p>"There's his game, sir, lying just at the foot of that old slide. It was +as neat a shot as I ever saw," declared the young cowboy, pointing.</p> + +<p>"Which is the truth, old fellow!" exclaimed Jerry, seizing Frank's hand +and wringing it warmly, without a touch of jealousy, even though his own +laurels as the admitted best shot of the club seemed in jeopardy.</p> + +<p>"But what a pity we can't get it! I hate to <!-- Page 90 --><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90" />think of killing game and +leaving it for the wolves," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's soon remedied. Reddy will promise to land that sheep here +for you in double-quick order, eh?"</p> + +<p>Reddy was already fastening one end of his lariat to a projecting stone +that resembled a saddle-horn. This done, he tried it, to make sure that +it would hold. Then he tossed the balance of the rope, loop and all, +over the edge.</p> + +<p>"Does it reach down?" asked Mr. Mabie.</p> + +<p>"Just gets there, and no more," replied Will, craning his neck to see.</p> + +<p>Reddy flung himself over in what struck Will as a most reckless fashion; +but he discovered in time that these free riders of the ranches do +everything in that nervous manner. It is a country where men quickly +learn that often their lives depend on their ability to act promptly and +like a flash.</p> + +<p>"He's down already," announced Will, half a minute later.</p> + +<p>And it was not ten minutes before they saw the cowboy coming back again. +He had Frank's first mountain sheep upon his back, and though the way +was rough he jumped from stone to stone with surprising agility for one +who spent so much time in the saddle.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 91 --><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91" />In due time the journey was resumed.</p> + +<p>"How much further do we go?" asked Will, as he followed behind the +guide, Reddy.</p> + +<p>"Here's the top of the ridge. Now you can see the other valley, and the +noise you hear is made by a cataract in the river. We camp just below +that. Fishing is good there, and I guess you'll like it," was the reply.</p> + +<p>They soon headed down, and the end of their day's work seemed close at +hand. It can be easily assumed that none of the boys were sorry. Quite +unused to riding, they began to feel the effects already.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad it's a camp after this. I've sure got a cramp in my legs that +it'll take a long time to get out," grunted Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Rome wasn't built in a day, son. Each time you ride you'll notice that +cramp less and less, until after a month you will be entirely free from +it. But here we are at our journey's end, and I, for one, don't feel +sorry, because for ten minutes I've been scenting that coffee. The boys +have seen us coming, and started to have dinner cooked."</p> + +<p>It proved to be just as Mr. Mabie said. A most appetizing camp dinner +was ready for them when they arrived. Perhaps Jerry and Frank may have +thought it did not fully come up to some similar <!-- Page 92 --><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92" />feasts they had helped +prepare in the woods, but of course they never hinted at such a thing; +for those cowboys, while the most accommodating of fellows, were also +thin-skinned in some respects.</p> + +<p>Will was fairly delighted at the romantic looks of the camp, back of +which the waterfall came tumbling down. He could hardly wait to eat his +dinner before he set to work to secure a <i>fac-simile</i> of the picture, +with the party gathered around the fire, and the three tents making a +pleasing contrast to the dark green of the piñon trees.</p> + +<p>Most of the party were contented to remain quiet during the balance of +the day, but Bluff developed an unusually ambitious spirit for action. +Truth to tell, he secretly considered that his chums were having more +than their share of good luck in making a record at bagging game, and +thought it time he started in.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie had made him accept the use of a spare hunting-knife. It was a +short, though serviceable weapon, and had doubtless done splendid +execution in days gone by. Bluff used to take it out when he thought no +one was looking, run his finger over the keen edge, gaze sadly at the +dim blade, and shake his head. He could not get the memory of that other +grand specimen of the cutler's skill out of his mind, and his soul <!-- Page 93 --><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93" />was +filled with bitterness because of its strange absence.</p> + +<p>"Look out for wolves!" called Reddy, but Bluff only waved his hand in +derision as he walked away down the valley.</p> + +<p>Of course, he knew that the stockmen were more or less troubled with +these hungry marauders in the winter time, and often had to organize +grand hunts in order to keep their number down; but it hardly seemed +reasonable to expect trouble from such a source in the summer season.</p> + +<p>Elk and moose had not as yet come under the protection of the game laws, +so that they were at liberty to shoot what they pleased. As a rule, +however, Mr. Mabie did not believe in hunting such animals save in the +fall of the year.</p> + +<p>Bluff had asked numerous questions before leaving camp, so that he knew +something about the lay of the land in the vicinity. He had started out +with all due regard to the way the wind was blowing, so as not to alarm +any quarry that might be sniffing up the breeze.</p> + +<p>Climbing among the rocks, and passing through dense patches of timber, +he kept on the alert for signs of game. Now, Bluff did not make any +pretence at being a skilful sportsman. In fact, until a year or so back +he had been the bungler <!-- Page 94 --><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94" />of the party when it came to a knowledge of +woodcraft; but since then he had studied up on various subjects, and was +now anxious to air his knowledge.</p> + +<p>When he caught sight of a large animal with towering antlers, feeding in +a little glade, he knew it must, of necessity, be an elk, for a moose +was built along different lines entirely.</p> + +<p>It might have amused Jerry to see the way in which Bluff crawled closer +and closer to the expected quarry. No doubt he did make some ridiculous +efforts, which were not at all according to the usual rules of the game. +However, as Bluff would say, the proof of the pudding lies in the eating +of it, and he certainly did manage to creep up quite close to the +feeding elk.</p> + +<p>Thinking he was now near enough, and that the animal was beginning to +act uneasily, Bluff stretched himself out, balanced his gun on a stone, +took a long aim, and then pulled the trigger.</p> + +<p>The elk certainly dropped, at which the young hunter gave a bellow of +delight. That was where he made a foolish blunder, for believing that +his bullet had done for the game, Bluff started recklessly forward, bent +on bleeding the same, and only regretting the fact that he could not +initiate his precious new blade.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 95 --><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95" />To his astonishment, the wounded elk scrambled to its feet, and instead +of bounding away it shook its antlers in an angry fashion and started +straight toward the young hunter!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI" /><!-- Page 96 --><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96" />CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE ELK AND THE YOUNG HUNTER</h3> + + +<p>"Hey! Hold on, there! That isn't in the game!"</p> + +<p>The elk did not seem to care whether it were so or not, but came rushing +straight on. Like many another, more experienced in the ways of the +woods than himself, Bluff almost forgot that he had other charges in his +gun. He was so amazed to see the animal he had fully believed to be dead +show such surprising signs of life, that he stood there for a few +precious seconds, gaping as if in a dream.</p> + +<p>Then he made a wild spring to one side and gained the shelter of a tree.</p> + +<p>"Oh! What a socker!" he exclaimed, as the enraged and bleeding animal +came full tilt against the trunk of the tree.</p> + +<p>Before he could say more, or try to form any plan of action, he found +himself obliged to spin around that same trunk with all the rapidity he +<!-- Page 97 --><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97" />could command, for the elk was apparently determined to overtake him, +and those towering antlers seemed pointed with spikes, in the eyes of +the startled lad as he strained every effort to keep beyond their reach.</p> + +<p>Bluff was really alarmed by this time. He knew that any unfortunate slip +on his part would precipitate a tragedy.</p> + +<p>"I laughed at Jerry and the wild dogs that chased him around and around, +but never again for me!" he gasped, as he kept up the weary circle, +hugging the trunk as closely as possible.</p> + +<p>This, however, caused him to remember that on the other occasion his +chum had finally managed to gain the victory through his own gun, and +Bluff suddenly came to a knowledge of the fact that he did have a gun +gripped in his hand, and which also contained five more shots.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! Give me a breathing spell, hang you! I'll fix you yet!" he +managed to exclaim, though he would better have husbanded his breath to +better purpose.</p> + +<p>The elk was not a bit accommodating. Perhaps the animal understood that +so long as it kept Bluff in rapid motion the human enemy could not find +a chance to use that fire-stick again, that shot out such burning +missiles. At any rate, it <!-- Page 98 --><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98" />persevered, and poor Bluff's tongue fairly +hung out with fatigue.</p> + +<p>In desperation, he was about to turn around, trusting to luck to get in +a shot that would put an end to this awful chase in a circle, when the +elk tripped and fell.</p> + +<p>"Now!" gasped Bluff.</p> + +<p>You would have thought he must have leveled his gun and fired. Jerry or +Frank would, in all probability, have done that very thing. But Bluff +seemed to go back to the first law of Nature, which is +self-preservation.</p> + +<p>He dropped his gun, and seizing a limb that happened to be within reach, +climbed into the tree with the agility of a monkey. Fear spurred him on +to do his best work just then.</p> + +<p>"Don't you wish you could?" he shouted derisively down at the elk, which +was jumping up, and making all manner of threatening movements with its +antlered head, much after the fashion of an enraged goat, Bluff thought.</p> + +<p>He was safe enough, but somehow Bluff did not like the idea of having to +wait in the tree until his chums, drawn by his calls, came to the +rescue. Why, he would never hear the end of the thing! It was too +horrible to contemplate, and in some fashion he must secure possession +of his <!-- Page 99 --><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99" /><!-- Page 100 --><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100" />gun to end the career of that pugnacious old bull elk.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/02.jpg" width="600" height="932" alt=""DON'T YOU WISH YOU COULD?" HE SHOUTED DERISIVELY DOWN AT +THE ELK.—Page 98. + +The Outdoor Chums After Big Game." title="" /> +<b>"DON'T YOU WISH YOU COULD?" HE SHOUTED DERISIVELY DOWN AT +THE ELK.—<i>Page 98</i>.<br /> + +<i>The Outdoor Chums After Big Game</i>.</b> +</div> + +<p>Bluff had read more or less about the strange adventures that befall +hunters of big game. He also remembered how one man had fished for his +gun, and successfully, under similar conditions.</p> + +<p>Having no cord in his pocket, he deliberately tore his handkerchief into +strips and knotted them together. When this failed to reach the ground, +he fastened it to the end of a long and stout "sucker," or sprout, which +he cut from the body of the tree.</p> + +<p>A running loop was made at the other end, for he could see that his gun +lay in such a position that the barrel was tilted.</p> + +<p>Bluff then began to angle. Many times he came near accomplishing his +purpose, when something occurred to break up his plans.</p> + +<p>"I'll never give up," he declared, when the elk moved forward, as if +suspecting something, and endeavored to catch the dangling noose in its +antlers, which Bluff would not have happen for anything.</p> + +<p>"If I was trying to catch you, I'd want something stronger than this +rag. Now please wander away again, and let me have another try," he +said; and then, as the animal did walk off a <!-- Page 101 --><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101" />dozen paces, as if +encouraging him to descend, he courteously added, "Thank you."</p> + +<p>A minute later he was thrilled to find that his erratic loop had +actually dropped over the end of the gun barrel. A quick jerk at the +proper instant tightened the clutch, and after that it was the easiest +thing in the world to pull the weapon up within reach of his trembling +hands.</p> + +<p>"Now, we'll see if you're going to have the laugh on me, you old scamp! +Hi! Hold on, there! Who said you could walk away? Come back here, and +have it out! I dare you!"</p> + +<p>The elk, as if suspecting that all was not well, had indeed started to +move off. But when Bluff made a great feint of coming down, he succeeded +in exciting the animal's anger again, and caution was flung to the +winds.</p> + +<p>Bluff watched for his chance, and when it came he made sure work of it +by sending a bullet through the heart of the fighting elk.</p> + +<p>Even then he waited a little while.</p> + +<p>"Going to try getting up again? This time I'm ready for you, old +fellow!" he said to the fallen beast; but presently it became patent, +even to his inexperienced eyes, that the elk had breathed its last.</p> + +<p>"Now, if Will were only here," Bluff remarked enviously, as he put one +foot on his prize and <!-- Page 102 --><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102" />tried to look very unconcerned, as if knocking +down such big game might be a matter of almost daily occurrence with +him.</p> + +<p>Not knowing how to go about cutting the elk up, Bluff headed back toward +the camp. Before leaving the spot he thought to bleed the quarry, after +a fashion, for he understood that such a thing was always done to make +the meat taste better.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later he showed up in the camp. It was next to impossible +to get lost in that valley, which might account for Bluff finding his +way back with comparative ease.</p> + +<p>Jerry was lounging alongside one of the tents, engaged in getting his +fishing tackle in order, for a try in the pool below the falls.</p> + +<p>"Shall we send the horses out to tote it in?" he asked, after the usual +fashion of greeting greenhorns when they come back from a hunt +apparently unattended by success.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear me shoot?" asked Bluff carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, twice; and some time apart. What was it—a crow or a +jack-rabbit?"</p> + +<p>Bluff only smiled as Mr. Mabie came out of the tent and glanced at him.</p> + +<p>"What would you say that was, sir?" he asked, <!-- Page 103 --><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103" />thrusting something in +front of the old stockman.</p> + +<p>Starting back, Mr. Mabie looked hastily at the hairy object.</p> + +<p>"An elk's tail, as sure as you live!" he remarked, his face relaxing in +a smile.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" roared Jerry, springing to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you needn't get excited about it. Do you see the dull spots on my +knife? Well, I bled my game, all right, just as I wanted to do with that +bully good blade that was left behind; and if Reddy will only go back +with me, we can bring the old fellow in on a horse," said Bluff coolly.</p> + +<p>"Count me in on that!" exclaimed Will, rushing out of his impromptu +dark-room, and waving the bottle in which he was making a solution of +hypo.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go along, too," remarked Frank, appearing from some other +place.</p> + +<p>When the party started forth presently, there were six of them with the +horse—the chums, Reddy, and Mr. Mabie himself.</p> + +<p>"I am beginning to believe you boys will corral everything in sight if +you keep on the way you've started. A grizzly, a sheep, and now an elk; +and only thirty hours with me! H'm! Perhaps I <!-- Page 104 --><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104" />may not be able to show +you as much about big-game hunting as I expected," said the stockman, +who seemed vastly amused at the energy shown by his young guests at the +ranch.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can pull a trigger, all right, sir, but there are a thousand +things we want to know about these natives that books never teach. I'm +like a sponge, and can keep on soaking up information all the time," +laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>Incautiously, Bluff let fall certain words that gave Jerry a clue as to +the true situation.</p> + +<p>"A tree! Shot him downward from a tree, eh? Now, since you've so frankly +confessed that much, why not tell the whole blooming story, Bluff?" he +cried.</p> + +<p>"There isn't much to it. I saw the elk. Then I shot him, and he fell +over. After that the elk saw me. He chased me about a tree. I remembered +how fast Jerry said he ran around when those wild dogs were after him, +and I wanted to go him just one better. Then I found a chance to climb +when the wounded elk stumbled. After that I made a rope out of my +handkerchief and fished with a loop until I caught the barrel of my gun. +That's all."</p> + +<p>"A whole history in a nutshell. But we must be getting near the place, +according to what you <!-- Page 105 --><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105" />said at the start. There are the three oaks +growing in a clump. Now where's your dead elk?"</p> + +<p>As Frank spoke he turned to Bluff. That individual was staring around in +evident bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"It was sure here I met him. There's the little glade, and this big tree +is the one I climbed up into. I saw him lying there. I <i>know</i> he was +dead when I bled him. But I must be blind, for the elk certainly is not +here now. Oh! Did he come to life again, and run away?" said poor Bluff, +in despair, looking at the tail, which he had thrust into his belt.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII" /><!-- Page 106 --><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106" />CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>HARD LUCK</h3> + + +<p>"Talk to me about your dreamers!" muttered Jerry, shrugging his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"But I tell you it was so!" asserted Bluff, firing up.</p> + +<p>"The boy is right," said Mr. Mabie, as he stepped forward and fastened +his eyes upon the ground.</p> + +<p>Frank saw immediately what the stockman had in mind. These things +mentioned by Bluff could never have happened without leaving some +tangible traces behind. Where a big elk had been slain there must be +signs of the blood that had flowed.</p> + +<p>"Look here, and see for yourself, Jerry." And Mr. Mabie pointed to the +ground at his feet.</p> + +<p>"There's some marks of hoofs around, I admit, and they seem to circle +about the tree, just as Bluff says; and—yes, that's blood on the +ground, as sure as you live! I guess I'm on the wrong <!-- Page 107 --><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107" />track. He did +have a merry circus. He did shoot an elk, but where has the blooming +thing gone?" exclaimed the scoffer.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I'm going to find out through Reddy, here. He has some +local reputation as a tracker. Put your nose down to it, and let us know +what happened, Reddy."</p> + +<p>In accordance with the request of the ranchman, the cowboy threw himself +upon his hands and knees.</p> + +<p>"Indians!" he announced, before they had taken half a dozen breaths.</p> + +<p>"What?" cried Bluff, staring hard.</p> + +<p>"Cree Indians been here. I can see the print of their moccasins plain as +day; and here's where they dragged the elk along, heading toward the +river!"</p> + +<p>Reddy seemed to have not the slightest trouble in reading the signs, and +yet to the boys there was not the faintest vestige of marks. Presently, +however, Frank was able to make out the print of a foot in the soil, and +he noted that the one who made it wore no heels. His footwear must be +moccasins.</p> + +<p>"H'm!" remarked Mr. Mabie. "Just what I suspected. The thieving Crees +have robbed our young friend of his prize. Too bad! But there <!-- Page 108 --><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108" />are more +elk around, Bluff, and I hope you'll have other chances."</p> + +<p>"But that one chased me so hard I wanted revenge. I calculated on eating +a bit of his flank for my dinner. What's the matter with our following +up the scamps, and making them give up some of my game, anyhow?" +demanded the disappointed hunter.</p> + +<p>"Impossible just now. The river is close by, and they undoubtedly had +boats in which they fled, carrying off your elk. By this time they've +shot the rapids, and must be miles below. Possibly we may run across the +rascals later, when we also go down the river," replied Mr. Mabie.</p> + +<p>Reddy had gone off, his head bent low, and they understood that he was +following the trail, much as a hound would have done, with this one +difference, that whereas a dog pursues by scent alone, the cowboy had to +depend on his eyes.</p> + +<p>"But if game is so plentiful, why should these Crees want to steal my +elk?" pursued Bluff, who could not be easily satisfied.</p> + +<p>"That bothers me to answer. Perhaps they happened to be out of +ammunition. There are several other explanations, but in my opinion the +most probable is the natural meanness of certain dusky bucks; just as +your able tramp refuses to <!-- Page 109 --><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109" />do a lick of work, while he'll walk twenty +miles for nothing," smiled the other.</p> + +<p>"There comes Reddy back. Perhaps he knows more about it now," said +Frank, who was decidedly interested in the enigma.</p> + +<p>They waited until the cowboy joined the circle about the tree.</p> + +<p>"Boats, Reddy?" asked Mr. Mabie.</p> + +<p>"Three. Must have carried around the falls without our knowing it. Hung +about here, waiting to steal something from our camp. Had a snare set +for jack-rabbits. Saw some torn skins in the camp," was what the cowboy +replied, in his jerky way.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Then I guess they must have been here before we came, and all you +say makes me believe I was right. They have no arms, or else their +powder and shot have run out; and for some reason they are afraid to +meet whites. Well, the elk's gone, and we can't mend that. Let's return +to camp. You have the tail to show for your little adventure, my lad."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and the memory of it all, which will haunt me for a good long +time," said Bluff, with a shake of his head, as he contemplated the +historic tree around which he had done a little Marathon.</p> + +<p>"But I mean to get a picture of this tree, any<!-- Page 110 --><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110" />how, just to remind Bluff +how valuable a good pair of sprinting legs may be sometimes," laughed +Will.</p> + +<p>And he did, with Bluff standing alongside; for once the official +photographer demanded a pose, he was bound to get it, or throw up his +job, for such was the law of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club.</p> + +<p>Then they retraced their steps to the camp, Frank more than usually +thoughtful, for anything in the shape of a mystery always set him to +puzzling, and he more than once wondered whether they would ever learn +just why those Crees stole the elk Bluff had downed after so much +trouble.</p> + +<p>"How many did there seem to be?" he asked Reddy, a little later.</p> + +<p>"You mean of the thieving reds? I counted nine in all, four bucks, two +squaws and three pappooses," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"But if I understand rightly, these Indians never take their families +when they go on the war-path. Is that so, Reddy?" Frank asked quickly.</p> + +<p>"Say, get that notion out of your head right away. They ain't no Crees +lookin' for trouble these days. My idea is just this: This is a family +travelin' acrost country, for some reason or other. P'raps they got +kicked out of their pesky old village. I've knowed such things to +happen. <!-- Page 111 --><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111" />Then they run short of meat, and didn't have guns or powder. +Under such conditions any redman would steal."</p> + +<p>"Well, who could blame them, with women and children to feed? I guess +you hit the nail on the head that time, Reddy. Glad to think that way, +too. We can spare the elk, and it will spur Bluff on to other hunting +deeds. He's had a taste now, and the fever will work on him."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Jerry had started his fishing below the cataract. There were +places just at the end of the foam-splashed outlet of the big pool where +they had seen noble trout jumping, and it was here he dropped his flies.</p> + +<p>After trying them a short time, and ascertaining that the trout paid +little attention to the feathery lure, practical Jerry actually +descended to the plebian angleworm, though he blushed when Frank came +over to watch him.</p> + +<p>"Got to have some for supper, you know," he remarked. "Now, if I was +only doing this thing for the sport, nothing could tempt me to use live +bait. I'm at it in the strict commercial sense this time."</p> + +<p>"I understand; and Jerry, let me tell you, the sportsman who, when +trout-hungry, refuses to go back to first principles, and use grubs and +<!-- Page 112 --><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112" />worms after the fish refuse the fly, is to be pitied, that's all," +laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Hey! That's a dandy, all right! See him jump, will you? Wow! He's all +of two pounds, and as strong as an ox! I hope the leader holds. It's +been frayed some by rubbing over rocks in the past. Please pick up that +landing-net and attend to the beauty, if I can coax him close enough, +Frank."</p> + +<p>Frank landed not only that beauty, but several more, ere he wandered off +to do something else. Jerry kept on fishing until he could not get +another bite, by which time he had quite a nice string of the speckled +beauties.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps enough for a decent meal; though if Bluff develops his usual +appetite, the rest of us would go hungry. I wonder if a fellow mightn't +have some luck up above the falls? Guess I'll make a shift to try," he +said to himself.</p> + +<p>The last view he had of the camp showed him Reddy amusing Bluff by +making flying tosses of his rope and lassoing all sorts of objects, from +the hat on the head of the admiring witness, to something tossed up in +the air.</p> + +<p>Jerry labored up the hillside until he finally came to where he could +look down at the water as it shot over the edge. It fell with a great +deal <!-- Page 113 --><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113" />of noise, striking the rocks below in many places with terrific +force.</p> + +<p>"Ugh! It would just about bang a fellow to pieces to drop over there," +he remarked, commencing to move upstream, looking for a promising place +to begin his fishing operations.</p> + +<p>Presently he discovered a log that jutted out over the swift current. +From this outlook he believed he could allow his bait to float down into +an eddy that looked as though it might be the home of a big hermit +trout.</p> + +<p>Jerry tested the log as he cautiously advanced. He realized that he was +taking some chances in creeping out to its furthest end, but so far as +he could ascertain it seemed to be firm enough.</p> + +<p>Straddling the log, he started to get his baited hook in motion. The +wriggling worms sank a little in the swirl. At first, he was unable to +just master the difficult problem of how to influence the bait to float +into the eddy. Twice he failed to accomplish this, but studying the +rushing stream a little, he fancied that by a certain throw in the start +he could gain his end.</p> + +<p>Sure enough, it worked, and like a charm. The baited hook was drawn back +into the foam-flecked eddy, and he saw it vanish from view. Then came a +most tremendous jerk, that almost caused <!-- Page 114 --><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114" />him to lose his balance and +the log to quiver, with sickening possibilities.</p> + +<p>But Jerry glued his legs against the sides, just as he had been told to +do with a refractory pony, and managed to recover his balance. The trout +was a gamey one, and the swiftness of the current made the task of +securing him doubly hard.</p> + +<p>"I'll work, all right, for everything I hook here," panted Jerry, after +ten minutes had passed, and he tossed his exhausted prize over to the +bank.</p> + +<p>But he would not give up. Where one such fine, fat fellow held out there +was certainly a chance for more, so he continued his fishing.</p> + +<p>Unknown to him, Will had also wandered up that steep hillside, searching +for a new view of the wonderful cataract. Pushing through the dense +thickets, he chanced to catch a glimpse of the lone fisherman.</p> + +<p>"Now, that's what I call a picturesque sight! Look at the chap perched +out on the very end of that log, with the water rushing below like a +mill-race! Here's where I get you, my duck. Fancy to what ends a +fisherman will go in order to enjoy his favorite sport."</p> + +<p>Will seemed to forget entirely that he was willing to undertake just as +long a pilgrimage and <!-- Page 115 --><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115" />buck up against as difficult problems simply to +get one snapshot that appealed to his soul.</p> + +<p>"There! He's got another fish on! My! How it pulls! I wouldn't be out on +that log, doing such a job, for anything. But I just bet Jerry is as +happy as a clam. He sets his teeth, and holds on as if he had a whale, +and perhaps it is a big un! I must get him again in that position. Why, +although he don't know it, he's just giving me the best thing of the +day!"</p> + +<p>Will rapidly adjusted his camera, and looked down to see that he had the +proper focus before snapping the shutter. The light was good up there, +and he believed he must have the greatest success with such a picture as +that. Besides, it had the genuine article of life in it, which he always +sought in taking his views.</p> + +<p>Then he pressed his finger, in the belief that he was about to snatch a +snapshot bound to give the four chums the keenest satisfaction in days +to come.</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>The startled exclamation broke involuntarily from the lips of Will even +at the very second he took his picture, and he let his beloved camera +fall to the ground, at the risk of doing it some material damage.</p> + +<p>It was not this seeming mishap that had brought <!-- Page 116 --><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116" />the startled cry from +his lips, but the crash of sundering wood, and the sudden disappearance +of the lone fisherman below the rim of the river bank; for the log had +finally betrayed Jerry, and dropped him into that swirling, maddening +current above the high falls!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII" /><!-- Page 117 --><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117" />CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>AN INVADER IN CAMP</h3> + + +<p>Will dashed madly toward the river bank. It happened that he was +somewhat below the point where Jerry's mishap had come about. Hence, he +was able to reach the edge of the stream in a dozen seconds.</p> + +<p>Even that short time had been enough to sweep the imperiled lad past the +place. Will was thrilled with horror to see his chum in the midst of the +churning current, trying to cling to a slippery rock, from which +insecure hold he was being gradually but surely sucked by the fierce +power exerted by the rushing stream.</p> + +<p>Never had the roar of the falls sounded more terrible to poor Will than +when he saw Jerry suspended, as it were, above the great drop. Once he +lost his hold, he must be swept irresistibly over the edge, down to +those cruel rocks below.</p> + +<p>Will would have foolishly attempted to reach <!-- Page 118 --><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118" />his chum had he chanced to +be opposite the place where Jerry hung on with the desperation of +despair. As it was, he could do nothing, which was just as well, for +there must only have been two of them given over to the river once he +ventured into that mill-race.</p> + +<p>"Help! Oh, help!" he shrieked.</p> + +<p>The roar of the cataract must have muffled his call, so that it might +just as well have been a whisper.</p> + +<p>Just as Will was about to give up in despair, and count Jerry as good as +lost, he made a sudden discovery. Another figure had appeared on the +bank, and just at a point opposite the rock to which Jerry clung.</p> + +<p>"Reddy! Save him! save him!" cried Will, wringing his hands.</p> + +<p>Then he became mute with suspense. The cowboy did not recklessly rush +into the boiling flood, for he knew only too well that such a course +could not help the imperiled one. Instead, Will saw him whirling his +rope about his head with lightning-like haste.</p> + +<p>His heart in his eyes, Will continued to stare, holding his very breath. +He saw the coils of rope fly out just as when Reddy was giving his +exhibition in camp. Not far did they have to speed, for Jerry was close +to the shore.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 119 --><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119" />Oh! what luck! He's done it! He's done it! Jerry has the rope now, and +he is coming in, hand over hand! Bully! bully! bully!"</p> + +<p>Will was so excited that he fairly danced up and down as he shouted +these words aloud. Then, bethinking himself of what a magnificent +picture he was losing, he took several steps in the direction of the +spot where his camera lay. Stopping hastily, as his affection for his +chum more than counterbalanced his love for an effective scene, he +turned around and hurried to join the others.</p> + +<p>Jerry was ashore, and wringing the hand of Reddy, when Will arrived.</p> + +<p>Regardless of the rescued boy's wet clothes, Will threw his arms around +him.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you gave me such a fright, Jerry! I'm quivering all over! How lucky +Reddy happened to be here, and with his rope, too!" After saying which +he turned his attention to the smiling cowboy, and squeezed his hand +ardently.</p> + +<p>"I sure beat my record that time, boys. I've roped some queer things, +but never a feller that was going whoopin' over a falls. Don't know why +I slung the old lariat over my arm when I started up here to see what +luck Jerry had. Mighty glad now I did, though. It'd been purty hard to +get him out with only a stick to stretch over."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 120 --><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120" />Reddy was extremely modest, and only too willingly agreed not to say a +word about the mishap and rescue to any of the others; and Will was also +bound to secrecy by Jerry.</p> + +<p>Back in the woods they made a fire, where Jerry succeeded in drying his +clothes.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, I saved that fish," he announced, with a satisfied shake of the +head.</p> + +<p>Will looked at the cowboy inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Sure thing he did. When he came ashore he had that line fast in his +hand, and pulled the trout in before he'd even shake. He's a real sport, +all right," said Reddy, with admiration in his manner.</p> + +<p>"It seems as though these things are born in one. Now, I'd have dropped +my rod the very first thing, and howled for help," remarked Will.</p> + +<p>"How about your camera?" asked Jerry wickedly.</p> + +<p>"H'm! That's a different thing. But when I saw you go in I did let that +fall. Luckily, no damage was done. My heart would be broken if the +blessed little black box got out of shape. But I've one picture of you +on that log," announced Will.</p> + +<p>"And that will be enough to give me a clammy feeling every time I look +at it," nodded Jerry, <!-- Page 121 --><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121" />who was in secret more shaken by his recent +terrible experience than he cared to show.</p> + +<p>They went down a little later, Jerry carrying his two dearly-earned +trout. And when the others praised the fisherman that evening at supper +for supplying their camp table, they little dreamed how near their +hard-working chum had come to disaster in his efforts to land the +enticing finny beauties of the river.</p> + +<p>Besides the trout, they enjoyed mutton that night, for Frank's mountain +sheep was brought into use. Perhaps it was tough, perhaps the flavor did +not strike the boys quite as favorably as some mutton they had eaten at +home, but such trifles could not dampen their enthusiasm a particle, and +they voted the meal a grand success all around.</p> + +<p>Seated about the blaze afterward, they chatted until late. Bluff was +inclined to be a bit moody, and sat by himself, listening to all that +was said, but taking no share in the conversation.</p> + +<p>Frank noticed that he seemed to fondle his rifle more than usual, and he +believed the other must be thinking of the elk he had shot, but which +had been stolen by those wandering thieves of Crees.</p> + +<p>"He's still worrying about that butcher knife of his," whispered Jerry, +nudging Frank as he <!-- Page 122 --><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122" />spoke. "I wonder will the fellow ever forget it?"</p> + +<p>"Now, I was watching him, and, to tell the truth, I fancy Bluff has +become aroused to the delight of bringing down big game. That elk was a +revelation to him. See how he listens while Billy is telling of the +panther tracks he saw not a great way off. I wouldn't put it past Bluff +to aspire to knocking over a panther if the chance ever came his way.</p> + +<p>"Huh! I hope he is lucky enough to get a fatal shot in, then; for one of +those gentry is apt to maul a fellow good and hard if only wounded. +Billy has been telling of some fierce times he's had with the beasts. +His arms are all scarred up from deep cuts made by the claws of a +panther years ago," remarked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Whew! Hear what he says? will you?" remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, kid," observed the old cowboy, in answer to a question Bluff +had put, "sometimes I've knowed 'em to jump into a camp and snatch the +meat right from under the nose of a feller. Let a painter git good an' +hungry, an' he ain't afraid of anythin' but fire. Then, ag'in, I've +knowed 'em to act as cowardly as coyotes. I kinder reckon the season has +considerable to do with their actin'."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 123 --><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123" />But that was only one man. The beast wouldn't dare jump in a camp like +this, no matter how hungry he might be?" continued Bluff, who seemed +strangely interested in the subject, Frank thought.</p> + +<p>The old cowpuncher laughed as though amused.</p> + +<p>"That's somethin' I'd hate to commit myself on, younker. All I say is a +painter ain't to be depended on. He might prove a coward, like some +cats, and again you'd be fair astonished at his darin'. Long ago I made +up my mind never to give him more of a chance than I could help. It's +war to the knife between me and any such prowlin' critter. I can't git +my gun workin' too quick to please me when I sees the yaller eyes of a +painter hoverin' round my camp."</p> + +<p>"Are their eyes always yellow?" asked Bluff eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I reckons they are, kid; leastways all that I ever see was marked that +way," replied the cowboy, reaching out for a brand with which to light +the cigarette he had been rolling between his fingers, just as Reddy was +also doing at the time.</p> + +<p>"Like those yonder, do you mean?" said Bluff, pointing behind Billy, to +a point where the dense thicket came close to the border of the camp.</p> + +<p>Every eye was instantly turned in that direc<!-- Page 124 --><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124" />tion. Frank himself was +thrilled when he discovered that there were twin glowing eyes among +those bushes, eyes that had all the attributes of the cat tribe.</p> + +<p>Various exclamations arose from the group.</p> + +<p>"By gum! It's a painter, sure as you live!" said Billy calmly.</p> + +<p>"Never heard of one so bold!" whispered Reddy hoarsely, feeling for the +weapon he usually carried attached to his belt.</p> + +<p>"Everybody sit quiet, and see what he means to do. He won't attack us, +but it may be you'll see him make a jump for the balance of that sheep +over yonder. The scent of the game has aroused his hunger. Look at him +raise his head to see!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie spoke these words in a low but tense tone. He was more or less +excited by the strange actions of the prowling panther.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it's a mother, with hungry cubs near by. She's just bound to +get some grub for the kits, men or no men. Now, if you lie low, and +watch, I reckon you'll see something you never expected to see in your +born days."</p> + +<p>Billy sat there motionless. Only Frank saw the movement of Bluff when he +raised his rifle, and while he would have warned his chum against the +folly of firing, before he could frame words <!-- Page 125 --><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125" />to carry his meaning, the +quick report came, causing a sensation among those around the fire.</p> + +<p>The crouching beast, infuriated by receiving a sudden, painful wound, +launched straight out, and landed in the midst of the campers!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV" /><!-- Page 126 --><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126" />CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE COWBOY GUIDE</h3> + + +<p>Everybody was in motion at once.</p> + +<p>Some went over backward, regardless of appearances; others rolled aside, +bent upon placing some little distance between themselves and the +invader. Bluff was trying to work the mechanism of his gun in order to +secure a second shot, but as so often happens when the hunter is +excited, he failed to accomplish what should have been an easy change.</p> + +<p>The maddened panther had crouched again after landing close to the fire. +Perhaps what acted more than anything else to keep the beast from +leaping once more was the uncertainty of choosing among so many which he +should attack. If he only knew from whence had come that sting which had +given him such sudden agony there would have been no hesitation at all.</p> + +<p>One, however, did not join in the almost universal retreat. This man was +Reddy. He had been leaning forward at the time, as stated, about <!-- Page 127 --><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127" />to +pick up a brand with which to light his cigarette. Some impulse urged +him to seize a flaming, heavy stick that stuck out of the fire, and make +a frantic attack upon the crouching panther.</p> + +<p>Frank never forgot that spectacle. The panther, with ears flattened +back, and fangs exposed, snarled and carried on just like a big house +cat when assailed by a small but saucy dog, striking out from time to +time, as though trying to reach the arm that wielded the cudgel.</p> + +<p>The flaming brand caused too much fear to allow of an attack. Still, the +ugly beast would not give way, and leap out of its perilous position.</p> + +<p>"Where's my gun?" At least three different shouts arose.</p> + +<p>"Get out of range there, kid!" bellowed Billy, who had drawn a heavy +revolver, and, on hands and knees, sought to get a line on the common +enemy.</p> + +<p>"But that's my panther!" cried the voice of Bluff.</p> + +<p>Frank saw him once more bring his rifle up to his shoulder. Although +hardly in a position to see what was going on, Will seemed to be +fumbling with something in a desperate fashion. The fellow, as usual, +was thinking only of what a <!-- Page 128 --><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128" />grand thing it would be if he could only +get that scene for posterity to gaze upon.</p> + +<p>"I hope Bluff aims straight!" Frank was saying to himself, for he knew +there was more or less danger of the bullet doing some damage to one of +the campers who might happen to be on the other side, partly screened by +the brush.</p> + +<p>The crash of the gun followed.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" shouted Reddy, falling back as the panther tumbled over in his +direction, for he knew what damage those poisonous claws might do in the +dying agony of the beast.</p> + +<p>Then the rest of the scattered company appeared. Some crawled out from +the brush, others arose from flattening themselves on the ground, while +still another group made their exit from under the canvas of the tent +close by.</p> + +<p>The beast was writhing in its last hold on life.</p> + +<p>"That's my panther, I told you!" said Bluff, jumping to his feet, and +still holding on to his gun.</p> + +<p>He was as white as a ghost, but a fire shone in his eyes telling of the +spirit that had finally been aroused there. Jerry would soon have to +look to his laurels now.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie laughed as he patted Bluff on the back.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it is, youngster; but you took big <!-- Page 129 --><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129" />chances that time. I'd +advise you to slow up a bit in the future, when shooting in the dark. +That impetuous nature will sure get you into more than one scrape, +otherwise," he said soberly.</p> + +<p>Bluff hung his head. He knew now that he had been too hasty, when there +were so many older campaigners than himself around; but the loss of that +elk had rankled in his heart, so that he could not resist the sudden +temptation to redeem his reputation.</p> + +<p>Jerry, for once, had nothing to say, at least to the successful one. He +bent over the dead panther, and examined it with curiosity. Will was +loudly lamenting the fact that once again he had found himself left in +the lurch.</p> + +<p>"You fellows move too fast," he declared. "Now, if Bluff hadn't put in +his oar, I was just about ready to shoot off a flashlight picture. Just +think what it would mean to see Reddy, here, banging that big cat over +the head with his torch! Oh! it's just too mean for any use! Everything +goes wrong just when I'm going to squeeze my bulb, and get the best +picture there ever was! Even a rotten old log has to go and break off +short—"</p> + +<p>"Hey, Will! Let up on that whining, won't you?" cried Jerry, just then, +fearful lest his secret was about to come out.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 130 --><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130" />Frank looked suspiciously at both his chums. Perhaps he may have +entertained a dim thought that there was something between them that +they did not want known; but other things soon put this out of his mind +for the time being.</p> + +<p>"We must keep an eye out the rest of the time we're here," said Billy, +after the company had settled down again around the fire.</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Bluff, looking up from admiring the sleek fur of his prize.</p> + +<p>"The brutes often hunt in couples, you know. This was the mother, just +as I had an ijee, and she's got half-grown cubs around somewhere. If the +mate's near by he may give us a call sooner or later."</p> + +<p>Bluff's hand had stolen out toward his gun at these words.</p> + +<p>"Here! No more of that, my lad!" said Mr. Mabie. "You've had your fling, +and come out of it mighty lucky. Don't try it again while I'm around, +please. If any more uninvited visitors drop in, you leave them to the +rest of us."</p> + +<p>But there was no further alarm. During the night some of them declared +they heard strange cries off in the woods, which Mr. Mabie said must +have been the whining of the panther cubs, looking in vain for their +mother.</p> + +<p>Frank was distressed.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 131 --><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131" />I hope they're really big enough to forage for themselves. If there's +anything I dislike it's to shoot bird or beast that has young depending +upon it. Perhaps the old male may look after them," he suggested.</p> + +<p>"Well," smiled Mr. Mabie, "I hardly think that will prove to be the +case; at least they don't, as a rule. But I've got an idea the cubs are +of a good size, and can find some means of subsisting. For my part, I +wouldn't care if every panther in the Northwest were rubbed out. I've no +love for the sly beasts. They've robbed me of more than one fine calf, I +can tell you."</p> + +<p>After breakfast a hunt was organized.</p> + +<p>"We ought to get an elk before leaving up here," said the stockman as +they prepared to go forth again in a squad; "and as this will be our +last day in camp by the falls, we must look sharp."</p> + +<p>"Then we make tracks to-morrow?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Hardly that, since we go by water. You've seen the three bullboats +yonder. We send our tents and all other things around with the horses, +while we shoot the rapids, and enjoy the most exhilarating boat ride you +ever dreamed of. Just wait and see, boys. It will be something worth +while."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 132 --><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132" />After all, the stockman was unable to start out with them. He was +subject to attacks of rheumatism, due to his age, and many exposures in +the past. When one of these came on Mr. Mabie was unable to walk any +distance, and, unfortunately, he experienced such an attack that +morning.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, boys, but it can't be helped. Reddy, here, will have to take my +place. You don't need me, that's plain. Only don't be too reckless, now. +That's the fault with most youngsters," and he shook his head at Bluff, +who turned fiery red as his eyes fell upon the panther, which Billy was +skinning at that moment.</p> + +<p>Of course, Reddy was to act as guide to the party. He had been around +the vicinity a number of times. Besides, he knew the habits of the elk, +which used this valley for their feeding grounds, and if any one could +lead them to success in their hunt it was the young cowboy.</p> + +<p>Frank used to look at Reddy, and wonder if he had ever seen him before; +but as that was out of the question, he came to the belief that it was +simply a matter of resemblance.</p> + +<p>"Look there!" exclaimed the guide, before they had gone two hundred +steps from the camp, and pointing as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 133 --><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133" />What was it?" asked Jerry eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I saw a gray critter slinking away into that thicket!"</p> + +<p>"The panther's mate!" cried Bluff excitedly, as he fingered his gun.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it was; but we ain't lost no panther, and anyhow, this is a +hunt for elk meat. Come along, boys," remarked Reddy hastily.</p> + +<p>They tramped for half an hour steadily, going far beyond where Bluff had +had his strange adventure with the wounded elk. Will trailed along in +the rear, holding on to his beloved camera. The woods looked as though +the recent dry weather had seared the leaves more or less, but they +lacked the splendid gorgeous tints of autumn.</p> + +<p>More than once the others had to wait for the straggler, or else call to +him. He grew so interested in his surroundings, especially when trying +to get a view that particularly appealed to his fancy, that he was apt +to forget their mission entirely.</p> + +<p>Once he aroused himself to the fact that he could no longer see his +comrades, or catch a sound of their voices. This disagreeable idea +caused him to hurry, and no doubt he became less cautious in navigating +some of the various narrow paths, for before he realized that he had +started <!-- Page 134 --><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134" />a small avalanche, he was caught up in its gathering swoop, and +found himself being carried swiftly down a rather steep declivity, +unable to stay his rush.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV" /><!-- Page 135 --><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135" />CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>IN THE RAPIDS</h3> + + +<p>"Give him another call, Frank!"</p> + +<p>"That fellow beats all creation for lagging! I believe he'd rather snap +off his old camera than eat, any day. If he doesn't look out, that +panther may get—Glory to goodness! What's that, Reddy?" cried Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Sounds like a bit of an avalanche, though this here is a queer time of +year for that. Generally comes, you know, in snow time, or when the +rains arrive," was the cowboy's ready answer.</p> + +<p>"But—Will—he may have started it, and gone down into one of these +beastly holes!" observed Bluff uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Let's go back, fellows, and make sure," remarked Frank instantly.</p> + +<p>They retraced their steps, Reddy leading the way, and every one on the +lookout for any signs of an unusual happening.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 136 --><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136" />There's where it fell, and it looks like quite a lot of stuff had gone +down the slope," said their guide presently.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Will! Will!" shouted Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm waiting for you," said a quiet voice close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Where in the world are you, pard?" burst out Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here," came the reply.</p> + +<p>"Ginger! I believe he's down the bank!" cried Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Just what he is! Come here, fellows! Did you ever see anything to beat +that? Talk to me about your lucky dogs! Here's one that takes the cake +every time!" sang out Jerry, as he thrust his head out beyond the edge +of the platform where the slope began.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know. There have been cases where people have been saved +from all sorts of disasters by the fortunate presence of a rope. Chuck +us a loop, Reddy, will you, please?" said Will, and Jerry became as dumb +as an oyster.</p> + +<p>No wonder Frank laughed, even while he watched the cowboy dropping his +lariat down as the other so coolly requested. Will had slid some twenty +feet down the steep bank, along with the loose surface stuff, which +gathered force as it <!-- Page 137 --><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137" />proceeded. Then a projecting stone had caught the +bag of his coat, and he was supported in this fashion by the stout +fabric.</p> + +<p>"What are you trying to do down there? Expect to cut me out of my job as +the cliff climber of the party?" asked Frank jokingly.</p> + +<p>"Not so that you'd notice. Thought I might get a better view down along +here. But first of all, save my precious camera, before I consent to +come up," answered Will, and he insisted upon fastening the same to the +dangling rope.</p> + +<p>Bluff saw his chance to get back at his chum for more than one indignity +along the same line that he had suffered in the past, so he called out:</p> + +<p>"Here, you! Just hold your horses! I'm going over yonder and strike you +off as you hang there. It will do to amuse the girls when we get home. +We don't often have a chance to bring the photographer into these +pictures. Now, here you are. Look pleasant! There! That job's done! Now +yank him up, fellows, and don't be too easy with him. He deserves a good +digging for scaring us so."</p> + +<p>But Will had suffered no material harm from his little slide.</p> + +<p>"Glad I stopped part way," he observed, looking down, "for it's quite +some distance to the <!-- Page 138 --><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138" />bottom, and then those rocks would have bruised me +more than a little. Yes, I agree with Bluff, there; it's better to be +born lucky than rich."</p> + +<p>After that they saw to it that Will did not lag behind. He was not to be +trusted any more than could be helped.</p> + +<p>Reddy was as good as his word. He eventually brought them within sight +of several feeding elk. They carried out his further directions to the +letter, and were thus enabled to approach within easy gunshot of the +unsuspicious animals.</p> + +<p>A program had been arranged, and every one knew just what part in it he +was expected to play. Consequently, there was no confusion. Frank, Jerry +and Bluff had their chance to aim. To each was assigned a different +quarry, though after the first shot they were to fire as they pleased.</p> + +<p>"Ready?" whispered the master of ceremonies, after Will had performed +his little, necessary operation with his camera that would produce happy +results.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Ditto!" from Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Same here," came from Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Then go!"</p> + +<p>There followed a crash of firearms. Instantly <!-- Page 139 --><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139" />confusion broke out among +the little herd of feeding elk. One was down, another went limping off, +to fall as Frank sent in a second hasty shot; while the balance fairly +flew off in their fright.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted the hunters, as they saw that they had met with +splendid success, since two of the big animals had fallen to their guns.</p> + +<p>Bluff looked grimly disappointed.</p> + +<p>"I hit my buck, for I saw him go down on his knees," he asserted +moodily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that ain't anything. An elk often runs off with several bad wounds. +I only hope he don't die in the woods somewhere," said Reddy, examining +the tracks of those that had escaped.</p> + +<p>"Will it pay us to follow them up and see if Bluff's buck fell?" asked +Frank, more to please his chum than because they needed the game.</p> + +<p>"Nope. The buck runs like he wasn't even hurt much. No ketchin' up with +them fellers after that riot call. We'd best pay attention to what we've +got, and return to camp," replied the guide; and Bluff shrugged his +shoulders, saying:</p> + +<p>"But I hit him, anyhow, I'll tell you that, fellows."</p> + +<p>Frank found that all Reddy meant to do was to hang the two elk up, after +they had cut some choice portions for immediate use. The other <!-- Page 140 --><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140" />cowboys +would come with the horses, on their way down the river, on the morrow, +and secure the game.</p> + +<p>"We got fooled out of elk steaks once and don't mean to again, I tell +you," said Jerry, as he shouldered his portion of the load.</p> + +<p>So they returned to camp.</p> + +<p>"What's this?" said Mr. Mabie as they came filing in. "Back already, and +only out two hours? Got some meat, too, I see. That's good. Such +appetites as you boys are developing threaten to eat us out of house and +home soon, unless we eke out with game. Who cut up the elk?"</p> + +<p>"The boys all took a hand. They wanted to learn," smiled Reddy.</p> + +<p>"I kind of thought they had," nodded the stockman, who could easily see +that it was not the work of an experienced hand.</p> + +<p>Bluff failed to catch the twinkle of humor in the other's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I could have made even a better job if I'd had the knife along +I foolishly went and left at home," he remarked disconsolately, whereat +Jerry, Will and Frank exchanged looks, and shrugged their shoulders, but +said nothing; for in a case of that kind words are useless.</p> + +<p>They were all very enthusiastic that night over <!-- Page 141 --><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141" />the feast. The cook had +dutifully pounded the steaks before placing the same on the fire, so +that if they seemed tough it was not his fault.</p> + +<p>The meat, however, was sweet and tasty; and besides, with hunger serving +as the best-known sauce, who could complain?</p> + +<p>Bluff kept on the lookout for the mate of his panther, but if the old +fellow was prowling around he had more discretion than to show himself +while these hunters were near by.</p> + +<p>With the morning the camp was to be abandoned. Tents came down while +they were eating breakfast, and everything was packed away in as small a +compass as possible, for carrying on the backs of the pack horses, which +were brought in from the pen, or corral, where they had been kept all +this while, in charge of a guard.</p> + +<p>The three bullboats awaited the adventurous ones. These were of the type +much used in this far region of the Northwest, being fashioned of tough +hides of bulls, and impervious to water.</p> + +<p>Besides their guns, which were strapped to their backs, the voyagers +carried little or nothing. In case of an upset they did not stand to +worry over anything except saving their own lives.</p> + +<p>So they quitted the camp under the cataract, where they had spent +several very enjoyable days.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><!-- Page 142 --><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142" /> +<img src="images/03.jpg" width="600" height="929" alt="IMMEDIATELY THE TWO ADVENTUROUS CRUISERS WERE IN THE +RAPIDS.—Page 141. The Outdoor Chums After Big Game." title="" /> +<b>IMMEDIATELY THE TWO ADVENTUROUS CRUISERS WERE IN THE +RAPIDS.—<i>Page 141</i>.<br /> + +<i>The Outdoor Chums After Big Game</i>.</b> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 143 --><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143" />Swiftly they descended the stream for several miles. Then, according to +agreement, they hauled in at the head of the rapids for a little rest +and consultation before making the riffle.</p> + +<p>Will had declared his intention of going down the shore and taking up +his position about midway of the drop, so as to snap off the two +descending bullboats as they came flying along in the midst of the +churning water. Afterward he and Mr. Mabie would enter the last boat and +make the plunge.</p> + +<p>When he was ready, with his camera focused, he waved his arm as a +signal. Immediately one of the boats started forth, containing Bluff and +Reddy. When they got fully into the swirl the second craft appeared in +sight.</p> + +<p>Jerry sat in the bow of this, and Frank in the stern, the more +responsible position. Immediately the two adventurous cruisers were in +the rapids, and shooting down with incredible swiftness.</p> + +<p>The leading boat managed to pull through all right, for Reddy knew the +route; but disaster awaited that containing the two chums. Whether they +struck a half-submerged rock, and were capsized, or made a +miscalculation, and found themselves seized by the cross-current, no one +ever knew.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 144 --><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144" />Look out!" shouted Jerry, and the next instant both he and Frank were +overboard, and trying to keep away from the threatening snags while they +went whirling down the rapids.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI" /><!-- Page 145 --><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145" />CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE NEW CAMP</h3> + + +<p>"Well, how did you like it, Jerry?"</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your shooting the whirlpool at Niagara in a barrel! +That was bad enough for me! I swallowed enough water to float a ship! +And here we are yet, each perched on a measly old slippery rock, in the +middle of the rapids. Say! tell me about that, will you, Frank? How are +we going to get ashore?"</p> + +<p>The situation was comical as well as tragical. Just as Jerry said, each +of the late inmates of the overturned bullboat, after being buffeted +about furiously for several minutes, had succeeded in wildly scrambling +on to an exposed rock.</p> + +<p>There in midstream they sat, dripping wet, and with the foaming water +surrounding them on all sides. In spite of his recent scare, Frank could +not help laughing.</p> + +<p>"What ails you? Perhaps you think I look funny?" exclaimed Jerry, who +had received a <!-- Page 146 --><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146" />few bruises, and was not feeling quite as cheerful as +usual.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you could only see yourself just now, you couldn't help +laughing. Do you know you just put me in mind of that little god of good +luck, Billikin!" called Frank, and in spite of his soreness Jerry had to +grin in sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Well, all right, then; there are two of us, and I guess you look as +silly as I do. But there's that fellow, Will, getting his work in, as +usual. A nice pair of geese we'll look like in his book of martyrs."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that doesn't bother me one little bit just now. All I'm thinking +about is how under the sun we're going to get out of this pickle," said +Frank, sweeping his hand around, as if to call attention to the angry +water that leaped and boiled in a frenzy of eagerness to get at its +expected victims.</p> + +<p>"Can't swim to the shore, that's sure. I suppose we'll just have to slip +in again and make another turn of it. Thank goodness! the bottom of the +old rapids is in sight, and as Bluff and Reddy have picked up our boat +and the paddle, they could turn their hands at life saving when we came +bobbing along."</p> + +<p>"Hold on! Don't be rash, Jerry!" called Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, have you got anything better to say about it—any bright scheme +to propose that <!-- Page 147 --><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147" />offers to soften the blow?" demanded the other, pausing +in his movement toward slipping off his unstable seat.</p> + +<p>"I've just thought of something," answered Frank.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, then. I guess I'm too badly rattled just now, for once, +to do much thinking. What's the game, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Why not let Reddy and his reliable old rope come into play again?"</p> + +<p>"Say! we'll have to beg or buy that clothesline from Reddy when we go +away from here, and hang it up in our clubroom, as the most valuable +asset we have. Without it what would become of us, eh? Talk about your +trained nurses! That fellow is a whole hospital to the tenderfoot crowd. +Call to him, please, and enlist his sympathy in the noble cause of +yanking us in out of the wet."</p> + +<p>So Frank did shout to the cowboy, who, having beached the two boats +below the rapids, was hurrying up the shore. Mr. Mabie, too, had joined +Will, so that presently the entire balance of the little party had +gathered opposite.</p> + +<p>Reddy entered into the game with spirit. He seemed to believe that these +tragic occurrences must have just happened to give him a chance to show +his skill in launching his rope.</p> + +<p>"Jerry first, please!" called Frank.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 148 --><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148" />And why? Is it because I'm more valuable, or better-looking?" demanded +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, perhaps I want the pleasure of seeing how you look as you flounder +through the rapids; and then, again, I may pick up a few points as to +how <i>not</i> to do it."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! Some people have all the nerve!" shouted +Jerry, for the rushing water made so much noise that an ordinary call +could not have been heard.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, he accepted the flying noose that came shooting straight +toward him, placed it under his arms, made sure that his gun was still +fast to his back, and then fearlessly dropped off his perch.</p> + +<p>There was considerable floundering on the part of the swimmer, much +straining among the others who manipulated the rope, after which Jerry +was assisted up the bank. His first act, after coughing up a lot of +water, was to shake his fist at the grinning Frank, and then call out:</p> + +<p>"Now you come on, and see how you like it!"</p> + +<p>Frank did not wait upon the order of his going. As soon as he had the +rope secured under his arms he slipped down into the foamy water, and +began to buffet the current like a water spaniel.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 149 --><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149" />After an exciting experience he, too, was drawn ashore, really none the +worse for his adventure.</p> + +<p>"Shake hands, Frank. You did nobly. I might have laughed, only I didn't +seem to have breath enough," said Jerry, but the look in his eyes told +how he had enjoyed seeing his chum passing through the same experience.</p> + +<p>A fire was made, so that the soaked ones might dry off. Meanwhile, Mr. +Mabie and Will succeeded in successfully shooting the rapids, though the +latter was wise enough to leave his precious camera in the care of +Bluff.</p> + +<p>As noon found them still there, they took a "snack" before resuming the +water journey. Below the fierce rapids the current was still swift, but +there were places where the stream widened, and here the scenery was +very fine, although the leaves looked more or less parched on account of +the scarcity of rain during the summer that was passing.</p> + +<p>An hour later, and they saw signs of smoke below.</p> + +<p>"The boys have arrived ahead of us," said Mr. Mabie, pointing to the +wreaths that ascended above the trees.</p> + +<p>"All on account of our mishap. We lost three hours that way," remarked +Frank, who felt a <!-- Page 150 --><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150" />little provoked over the accident, since he aspired +to be a capable canoeman at all times.</p> + +<p>"Those things will happen to the best of guides at times," consoled the +stockman. "I've often been in the drink myself. There are some +cross-currents in our rapids, that one can only learn by experience. I +rather expected you would go over, and instructed Reddy to be on the +watch below."</p> + +<p>"I wager I wouldn't get caught in that same way again, sir," asserted +Frank.</p> + +<p>"And I'm sure you wouldn't, lad. Experience is the best teacher, and if +we didn't have some of these bad turns we'd grow too confident."</p> + +<p>The camp was soon looking quite cozy again, when the tents had been +placed and everything made snug.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to like this place almost as well as the one under the +cascade," remarked Will, who had been rather skeptical all along.</p> + +<p>So the first evening came along, and supper was the same hearty, +enjoyable meal they had always found it. The camp appetites worked +overtime, the coffee tasted splendid, the elk steaks were just what each +one had been hungering for, and as the cook supplemented these with a +heaping platter of flapjacks the contentment of the four chums seemed +complete.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 151 --><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151" />How long do we stay here, Mr. Mabie?" asked Bluff, never hesitating +when in search of information.</p> + +<p>"Possibly a week or so. Then back to the ranch, and a new line of +experiences. This terribly dry weather is making me anxious, for the +range is drying up, and we shall be hard set to find pasture for the +cattle soon, unless rain comes along."</p> + +<p>"Do you have such a dry spell in summer often up here?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Never saw the equal of this since I settled in the valley, many years +ago. Now, down in Ohio, where I originally came from, they have drouths +even in May, at times, and I've seen things go to the dogs more than +once, gardens dried up, and even a forest fire in July, but never up +here," replied the stockman.</p> + +<p>"The woods look as though it wouldn't take a great deal to set them +going," declared Frank. "One of the men threw a match down to-day, after +lighting his cigarette, and it seemed like magic the way the fire +flashed up. He had to be quick to jump on it before the breeze carried +it along."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie frowned.</p> + +<p>"I won't ask you which man it was, Frank; but I must warn them again to +be more than <!-- Page 152 --><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152" />ordinarily careful about throwing matches around and +leaving a fire burning anywhere in the woods. Many a grand forest has +been ruined by such carelessness," he said.</p> + +<p>"How does that happen, sir?" inquired Bluff.</p> + +<p>"It is easy. The careless hunter or trapper leaves his dying fire when +he breaks camp. Then up comes a sudden wind and some of the red cinders +are blown into the dead leaves or punk grass. Fanned by the breeze, they +become a roaring flame in a minute, and the mischief is done. Be +careful, boys, please."</p> + +<p>"We certainly will, sir," replied Frank sincerely. "Not to speak of the +damage done, it must be mighty unpleasant to be caught in a forest fire. +I've read of such things, but never hankered for a personal experience."</p> + +<p>On the following day they started to look into the possibilities for big +game around the new camp.</p> + +<p>"Reddy, here, says he knows of a bear den that we ought to visit some +time later. While at it, you boys must see all there is going in the way +of sport, for you may never come out this way again, though I hope that +will not be the case. To-day, however, we will take things a bit easy," +remarked the ranchman.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 153 --><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153" />Although the stockman did not speak any plainer, Frank knew just what +he meant.</p> + +<p>"He thinks we must be feeling the effects of our little excitement +yesterday, Jerry, and that the soreness in our muscles will take our +ambition away for to-day," he said aside to his chum.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! To prove that we're tougher than Mr. +Mabie thinks, let's you and I engineer a little hunt of our own?" +proposed the other quickly.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, they started out, going down the valley.</p> + +<p>"The walk will do us good, anyhow," declared Frank, "even if we don't +run across any big game."</p> + +<p>"I was asking Mr. Mabie about moose, and he said that occasionally one +is seen in this region, though generally they hang out further east. +I've always wanted to get a moose, but was never able to be up in the +woods where they are found, when the law was off. How about you, Frank? +Ever shoot at one?"</p> + +<p>"Never had that luck, though I've seen many in the summer time, in +Maine. Somehow, it seems to go against the grain doing this hunting at +such a queer time. I guess it won't be long before they have as strict +laws up here as we have to protect such game as deer and elk."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 154 --><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154" />How about panthers and grizzlies?" asked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"They don't want to protect those fellows. You've got a right to knock +one over, or a wolf, any time you want, if he doesn't get you first," +laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>An hour later they separated, Frank to look along one ridge, while Jerry +had taken a notion to see what the other might have in the shape of +game.</p> + +<p>Frank spent quite a long time scouring the woods that covered the side +of the valley. He had not put up anything worth while, and was even +thinking about heading back to the place where he had agreed to meet his +chum, when a distressing little accident occurred.</p> + +<p>Just as he was hurrying down a steep bank his foot caught in a vine, and +he was hurled forward with such violence that his head, coming in +contact with the hard ground, received such a blow that he was rendered +unconscious.</p> + +<p>Frank never knew just how long he remained insensible. It might have +been only a few minutes, or perhaps half an hour slipped by while he lay +there. When he finally opened his eyes he looked up into a dusky face, +and realized that it belonged to an Indian!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII" /><!-- Page 155 --><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155" />CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>AT THE CAMPFIRE OF THE CREES</h3> + + +<p>Frank was not at all alarmed. In the first place, he had been assured by +Mr. Mabie that these Crees were not inclined to be hostile. Then, again, +he saw that it was no fierce face of a warrior that bent over him, but +the pitying one of a child.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Who are you?" he asked, a little weakly, for his head was still +swimming more or less from his shock.</p> + +<p>"Little Mink," came the reply, though the boy apparently had to nerve +himself to keep from running away.</p> + +<p>"And you found me knocked out, did you? What are you doing here, Little +Mink?" Frank sat up as he spoke, though he realized that he would be +unsteady on his feet when he tried to stand.</p> + +<p>"Teepee down by river, not far off. Little Mink have snare for rabbit. +Him go see if ketch <!-- Page 156 --><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156" />one, find paleface here. Think dead, then him open +eyes. Good!"</p> + +<p>Frank was amused at the air of the little fellow. He knew something +about the ways of civilized Indians, having been among them in Maine, +hence he could see that this boy was endeavoring to ape the manners of +his elders.</p> + +<p>"Would you help me get down to your camp, Little Mink? I feel weak after +my tumble, and my own camp is far away," he said.</p> + +<p>Now, Frank knew very well that a loud shout would, in all probability, +have fetched Jerry to the spot. He had an object in making this appeal +to the Indian lad, and watched his dusky face closely as the other +considered the proposal.</p> + +<p>Perhaps Frank, fearing a refusal, may have put on more agony than the +state of his feelings really warranted. At any rate, he succeeded in +swerving the boy from a condition of caution to that of sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Little Mink help. Him lead paleface to teepee," he said, and the look +that accompanied the words told Frank as plainly as words could have +done that the boy was trusting in his honor not to betray them.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, he hung on to the lad, and in this fashion they went for +half a mile or so, when the river was reached. Presently Frank +discov<!-- Page 157 --><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157" />ered signs of a camp not far in the distance. A little pale smoke +was rising over the thicket, and he also saw a conical skin teepee, +while on the shore were three bullboats.</p> + +<p>As Little Mink came into camp, assisting the white hunter, several +squaws began an excited jabber that brought out a couple of bucks.</p> + +<p>"A hungry-looking lot all around," was the mental comment of the young +hunter.</p> + +<p>He had seen that Little Mink did not look as though he had enjoyed a +bountiful share of food lately, and the rest of the party were certainly +no better off.</p> + +<p>One of the bucks was an old man, yet he seemed to have a certain dignity +about him. Frank's curiosity was now greater than ever. He made up his +mind that there was something singular about this party of Crees who +seemed to be wandering in the wilderness without guns, or any means for +obtaining food, and, if possible, he meant to discover what the secret +could be.</p> + +<p>The old Indian approached, looking suspiciously at him. Frank put out +his hand at once in a cordial manner.</p> + +<p>"How!" he said, smiling in his engaging manner.</p> + +<p>The other at once fell under the charm of Frank's smile.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 158 --><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158" />White boy much hurt?" he asked, looking at the dirt and blood on +Frank's left hand, where he had cut himself slightly.</p> + +<p>"No. I had a bad fall, and feel weak. Little Mink found me lying there, +and let me come with him to your camp. I have friends above, a hunting +party under the charge of Mr. Mabie, the stockman."</p> + +<p>He saw the old fellow move uneasily at mention of the name.</p> + +<p>"Shoot elk?" asked the other, nodding.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sometimes, with gun," and Frank purposely held up his repeating +rifle.</p> + +<p>He saw the black eyes glitter enviously at sight of it, which made his +curiosity only the stronger.</p> + +<p>"Bad! bad!" muttered the Indian, though he did not explain what he +meant; but Frank believed he must be thinking of the theft of the elk +some days previous.</p> + +<p>"You no guns here?" he asked, and the old Indian shook his head sadly, +though a look of sudden anger also flitted across his strong face.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, only hatchet and one knife. Take all else away when send us +out from village. No care if squaw and pappoose die from hunger. Bad! +bad! But some day p'raps Running Elk go back and make change. Wait! +wait! No sleep on trail!"</p> + +<p><!-- Page 159 --><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159" />Already was Frank beginning to see behind the mystery. For some cause +this old brave and his immediate family had been chased out of the Cree +village, many miles to the northwest. Deprived of weapons, they had been +started on the river in the bullboats, to meet what fate had in store +for them.</p> + +<p>No wonder, then, that coming unexpectedly on the dead elk Bluff had +shot, they had stolen it, for hunger stalked in their miserable camp, +and the pappooses cried for the food the braves could not supply.</p> + +<p>The only thing that still puzzled Frank was why they had not appealed to +some of the whites. But there must be some good reason, he argued, for +this. Perhaps it was only the natural pride an Indian feels, and which +prevents him from admitting to the palefaces that he is helpless to +supply the wants of his people.</p> + +<p>"Name Frank," he said, touching his breast "What call you?"</p> + +<p>"Running Elk, chief among Crees. Long he lead them in the hunt and in +battle. But a serpent come among my people and poison all against +Running Elk. Now they think the half-breed Pierre La Motte best man to +follow. Him talk, talk, all time, and warriors dream. Some day they wake +up and know him for bad man. Then <!-- Page 160 --><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160" />p'raps they ask Running Elk come back +again. Wait, see!"</p> + +<p>That was the Indian idea of patience. Frank could understand it all now. +Plainly, a smart half-breed had managed to hypnotize the braves in the +Cree village, and influence them to turn against their own chief. When +he and his family resisted they were ignominiously exiled, and sent +forth to face the world without means for providing food for the squaws +and pappooses.</p> + +<p>Somehow, Frank felt a strong sense of sympathy for the old exiled chief.</p> + +<p>"You see the rancher, Mr. Mabie. I think he can do something for you," +he said.</p> + +<p>"I know him. He no like Running Elk and the Crees. Once they take some +cattle that stampede and wander far away. Never forget or forgive that +wrong. Better not see rancher. Go on down river soon, sell few pelts, +and buy gun. Mebbe all right."</p> + +<p>"No! no! Don't be in a hurry. I'm sure Mr. Mabie won't hold that old +grudge against you now, and he's a good man. He will give you gun and +powder. Wait and see."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, as he was sitting there, with a rude bandage around +his throbbing head, and talking with Little Mink, who had taken a great +fancy for the paleface hunter who owned <!-- Page 161 --><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161" />the beautiful gun, Frank heard +a startled exclamation from the border of the thicket near by.</p> + +<p>"Hello, there, Jerry! Come in and get acquainted!" he cried out, as his +eyes fell upon the astonished face of his chum thrust from the scrub.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about surprises! What could equal this? Here, after getting +the scare of my life, thinking my chum had been carried off by the +redskins, I find him hobnobbing with them in their camp. Sure they ain't +dangerous, Frank?" asked Jerry, advancing cautiously, with his gun held +ready.</p> + +<p>"As mild as an old lady's cup of tea. Wouldn't hurt a fly. Sit down, and +I'll tell you all about them," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"First, I want to know are you hurt much? I happened on where you fell, +and just imagine my alarm when I saw the print of little moccasins. Why, +I was sure some frisky red had knocked you over the head with a warclub, +and then toted you off to be burned at the stake. I followed as well as +I could, bent on rescuing you at the peril of my life, to meet up with a +reception like this."</p> + +<p>Frank was compelled to laugh at the look of evident disgust that came +over the countenance of his comrade.</p> + +<p>But when Jerry had heard all his chum knew <!-- Page 162 --><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162" />concerning the little band +of wandering Crees, his generous heart was stirred at the thought of +their wrongs.</p> + +<p>"That greedy half-breed ought to be made to walk the plank, that's what! +Just to think of the nerve of him chasing the genuine dyed-in-the-wool +chief out into the cold and taking his place! Why, he's a usurper, +that's the truth! And look here, Frank, didn't you hear what Mr. Mabie +said about a fellow named Pierre La Motte?"</p> + +<p>"I must have been away at the time. What did he say?" asked Frank +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Why, there was a detachment of the sheriff's posse at the ranch house +just before we came, looking for that same fellow. Seems that he's +wanted badly for something or other."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! That's just what I was hoping would happen. We can put them +wise about Pierre, and they'll go after him. Then, perhaps, as old +Running Elk says, when the man with the smooth tongue has gone away +forever, the Crees will send and beg their chief to return, and forgive +the past. It's all right! I'll bring him here to see you."</p> + +<p>But Running Elk had already learned that another stranger was in camp, +and even then he was approaching, looking considerably embarrassed, for +he feared it might be Mr. Mabie himself.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 163 --><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163" />However, he was soon set at his ease. What Frank had to say about the +bad half-breed also gave him new pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Not wait long now," he said, nodding his head sagely, while his beady +eyes fairly glittered with satisfaction, as in imagination he saw his +hated foe being taken away from the Cree village by the much-feared +sheriff's posse.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII" /><!-- Page 164 --><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164" />CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>AN INVITATION TO COME OUT</h3> + + +<p>"About time those boys were showing up, eh, Bluff?"</p> + +<p>"There they come now, Mr. Mabie, and—Jerusalem!"</p> + +<p>"What ails you now?" asked the stockman, coming out of the tent.</p> + +<p>"They've got an old Indian in tow, as sure as you live!" cried Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Where is he? I've just been wanting to get an Indian picture the worst +way. Show him to me, please!" And Will came crawling hastily forth, of +course clutching his beloved camera in his hand.</p> + +<p>"H'm! I guess I know that old buck. It's Running Elk, the chief of the +Crees. Something must have happened out of the usual order," said the +ranchman.</p> + +<p>When he learned what Frank had to say Mr. Mabie proved himself just such +a man as the <!-- Page 165 --><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165" />others had believed him to be. He advanced to the Indian, +who was standing there in stoical silence, with his blanket thrown over +his shoulder, and held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to meet you again, Running Elk, and sorry to hear about your +trouble. But it will soon be all right. I'll see to it that the +authorities learn about Pierre, and they'll get him before long. In the +meantime, I'm going to give you a letter to my foreman. You take your +little party to the ranch, and they'll see to it that you have plenty to +eat until I come back home," he said.</p> + +<p>The chief shook his head sadly.</p> + +<p>"Bad! bad! Young braves no think when kill runaway steers. Never more +can happen after this. Send skins to pay when get um. Glad get meat for +squaw and pappoose."</p> + +<p>That was the extent of his remarks.</p> + +<p>"I guess Injuns ain't got much of a supply of words," remarked Will +aside to Bluff.</p> + +<p>"But he means all right. I like the old chap's looks. Come along, Frank, +and tell us all about it. You look like you've been in a fight. Say! the +reds didn't tackle you, did they?" exclaimed Bluff.</p> + +<p>"One did; a little chap about hip-high. Ho was out trying to snare a +jack-rabbit, when he <!-- Page 166 --><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166" />found me. I'd taken a header down over a root, and +was lying in a state where I didn't care whether school kept or not. He +led me to their camp, and Jerry found me there later. That's all of it +in a nutshell. Now I'm going to have Mr. Mabie wrap up my hand and take +a look at my head, for it still rings."</p> + +<p>After an examination, the ranchman declared that there was nothing +serious the matter.</p> + +<p>"It may take a few days for that lump to subside, and these cuts to +heal, but you came out of it better than an old fellow like me could +have done," he said, and Frank felt relieved.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with Running Elk?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Send him back to his people with some food. Then he will carry this +letter to my foreman, who will look after the party until we get back. +After that I'll see to it that Pierre is taken care of and the chief +recalled to his own."</p> + +<p>"I knew you would. I told the old fellow that, but he was sore afraid +that you could never forgive what his young braves had done a year or +two ago."</p> + +<p>The old Cree chief soon departed, with a grin on his face, and his arms +full of bundles. He might have been proud, but there were hungry <!-- Page 167 --><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167" />mouths +to feed, and for their sakes he must forget that he should die sooner +than beg favors.</p> + +<p>Frank felt rather stiff and sore on the following day. He was satisfied +to hang about camp, and let his chums do the hunting, for once.</p> + +<p>Jerry could not be restrained, for his sporting blood demanded that he +keep going all the while. Will was just as eager to do his style of +shooting, and even wandered down the river to get a view of the Cree +teepee before the family of Running Elk broke camp.</p> + +<p>Bluff took a notion to try fishing, and with considerable success. Later +in the day Frank also wet a line, and between them they managed to +secure a decent mess of fat trout for the whole party.</p> + +<p>When Jerry came in he reported that he had had a shot at an elk, but +failed to stop his flight. He also declared that he had seen what he +believed to be a wolf skulking through the timber.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't doubt it," said the old stockman, when Frank looked +questioningly at him. "The pesky critters like to hang around here, +looking for a nice calf that happens to stray away from its mammy's +side. Winter and summer, it's all the same to them, so long as we don't +get after the pack too hot. Never lose a chance to knock over a wolf, my +boy."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 168 --><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168" />I never mean to," said Jerry, holding up a piece of gray fur.</p> + +<p>"That's wolf, all right; and look here, what did you do to him?" +demanded Mr. Mabie.</p> + +<p>"I was very kind to the scamp, and hung him up in a tree, where the rest +of his tribe couldn't get at him to tear his hide to pieces. You see, I +had a notion that I'd like to have that skin for a rug, and that later +on, perhaps, one of the boys might go out with me and remove it much +better than I could," grinned Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my lad. I feel that you've done me a favor. Every wolf that +goes across the Great Divide means more calves to grow up; and you shall +have your rug, I pledge you my word."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie shook the hand of the successful wolf hunter with emphasis, +showing that he felt deeply on the subject.</p> + +<p>Just as he expected, Frank was still rather sore on the following day. +He let the others do the hunting that morning, Will tagging behind the +bunch with his ready camera.</p> + +<p>They came in at noon, having covered some new ground, and brought the +best part of an elk with them. Mr. Mabie laughed, and wished it might +have been an antelope instead. He was not partial to elk meat, which was +perhaps <!-- Page 169 --><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169" />natural in a stockman, who could kill young beef whenever the +spirit moved.</p> + +<p>"How about that bear den, Reddy?" asked Jerry, as they lounged about the +camp in the early afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Any time you say the word. I was only waitin' till Frank felt himself +again," was the other's reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let my condition keep you from that little entertainment. +Besides, I feel much better now. Perhaps a little excitement might put +me in just the right kind of trim," declared that individual promptly.</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear!" exclaimed Bluff, making a pretense of clapping his hands.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your dyed-in-the-wool sportsman! Frank, here, could +give any fellow points," declared Jerry.</p> + +<p>"I understand the principle he works on. It's the same as what they call +homoepathy, that 'like cures like.' I've seen a man, when struck by a +rattler, chase the reptile, kill him, and apply his crushed body to the +wound, in the belief that one poison would counteract the other," said +the stockman.</p> + +<p>"Did it succeed?" asked Jerry, eager for information along these lines.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mr. Mabie, "the poor chap died, <!-- Page 170 --><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170" />I'm sorry to say. In +another case, the fellow insisted on filling himself up with whiskey. He +lived through it, too, which proved the rule, though I believe there are +better things to save a man than liquor. But Frank has the right idea. +The excitement of the chase will cause him to forget, and take some of +the stiffness out of his joints."</p> + +<p>"Then we go this afternoon?" queried Reddy anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Whenever you're ready," answered Frank.</p> + +<p>They set out within half an hour. Of course, the whole four chums +insisted on being in the party. Besides, there were the guide, Mr. Mabie +and Billy. Each of the cowboys carried his rope, for of late it had +seemed as though a lariat might be a very necessary accompaniment to +these side hunts.</p> + +<p>They headed in a quarter where, as yet, none of the boys had been. This +led them directly into the thickets that lay at the base of the mountain +barrier, stretching away up against the blue heavens.</p> + +<p>None of the chums had forgotten the fierce appearance of the grizzly +that had fallen before the rifle which Jerry wielded so cleverly.</p> + +<p>"Remember, lads," said Mr. Mabie, as they trailed along through rocky +gulches, "every <!-- Page 171 --><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171" />Mountain Charlie isn't going to keel over as easily as +the one Jerry got. He was lucky to send his lead to a vital point. I've +seen veteran hunters shoot a bear a dozen times, and then have to finish +him with a knife."</p> + +<p>"I've always read that they can stand a tremendous amount of shooting +without caving under," admitted Frank.</p> + +<p>"And it isn't considered at all disgraceful, when stirring such a +terrible monster out of his den, for the hunters to post themselves in +trees near by. While at first blush such a procedure might seem silly or +cowardly to you, take an old hunter's advice, and give the rascal no +more chance than you can help. Even then I've known him to shake a +fellow out of a small tree, and only for the assistance of the others he +must have killed the youngster."</p> + +<p>"A grizzly can't climb a tree, then, sir?" questioned Will uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Not ordinarily. He might manage to swarm up if the trunk was inclined +about forty-five degrees. Select straight ones, and of some size; then +you're safe."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Mabie. I'll follow your advice. You see, I'm only the +photographer of the club, and they could hardly afford to lose me," +<!-- Page 172 --><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172" />remarked Will, thinking some sort of an apology might be necessary for +his seeming timidity.</p> + +<p>But the others did not laugh. They knew their chum too well for that. He +had proven more than once that when it came to a pinch he could conquer +his natural weakness, and show the right spirit of bravery, especially +if it were one of his comrades who was in peril.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Reddy a short time later, "we're close to the place +now."</p> + +<p>"I imagined as much," said Mr. Mabie, with a significant look around.</p> + +<p>"You mean that this is an ideal spot for a grizzly to have his den?" +asked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Fine. Look at the tumbled-down rocks, making many a cave that affords +shelter from the elements, winter and summer. Then, of course, the old +rascal has a nice short cut through some canyon to the open country. He +uses that when he feels sharp set for veal. Oh, yes, I've no doubt he's +been the cause of many a calf disappearing from the herd," said the +stockman between his teeth.</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder, then, you are so keen at wanting to get rid of all such +neighbors as grizzlies, panthers and wolves. They make an expensive +boarding-house," laughed Bluff.</p> + +<p>"They take their toll right along. This re<!-- Page 173 --><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173" />gion would be a paradise for +a stockman only for that. The grass is heavy, and while the winters are +severe, we know how to carry our stock over; but we can never calculate +our profits, because of the losses on account of hungry wild beasts."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm glad we came here to get our taste of big-game shooting, for +it will not only be fun for us, but a benefit to civilization," remarked +Bluff, who, being in training to succeed his lawyer father, often liked +to indulge in imposing sentences.</p> + +<p>"Now look over yonder to where that cleft yawns," said Reddy at this +juncture.</p> + +<p>"I see it; and is that the den?" asked Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Sure as you live. You fellows be choosing your trees, and let me take a +peek."</p> + +<p>"He isn't going in, I hope!" exclaimed Will as the cowboy moved away.</p> + +<p>"Well, hardly. Reddy doesn't want to commit suicide just yet. He's only +going to make sure the old chap is at home, then he'll make preparations +to smoke him out."</p> + +<p>As Mr. Mabie said, Reddy was soon back, and from his actions it was +positive the bear was at home. He began collecting dry wood and all +manner of material calculated to make a big smoke. The boys knew +something about such a scheme themselves, and were deeply interested.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 174 --><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174" />Mr. Mabie insisted that each one seek an asylum in the branches of a +tree that commanded the black cleft. Presently, Reddy had his pile of +wood and brush ready, and he put a match to it, after which he beat a +hasty retreat, climbing into the tree with Frank.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" he said presently.</p> + +<p>Frank could hear a sound like sneezing. This was followed by a +scrambling noise that arose above the crackling of the fire. Then came a +terrific roar, succeeded by a sudden scattering of the brands, and the +enraged grizzly rushed into the open!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX" /><!-- Page 175 --><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175" />CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE DISCLOSURE</h3> + + +<p>"Hello, there, Charlie! How's your health?"</p> + +<p>Reddy swung himself down from the limb on which he had been perched, and +kicked out with his feet in such a way that he attracted the attention +of the beast.</p> + +<p>"He's coming! Look out, Frank!" shouted Will, who, secure in his perch, +had, of course, been manipulating his camera with burning zeal.</p> + +<p>Bang!</p> + +<p>It was Bluff who had fired, but if he hit the great beast at all, the +latter minded the wound no more than he would a flea bite.</p> + +<p>Jerry also took a turn as the grizzly passed the tree in which he was +hidden.</p> + +<p>"I hit him!" he whooped as the grizzly gave a snap backward at his +flank.</p> + +<p>But the enticement offered by Reddy's swinging form proved too much for +the enraged animal. Doubtless he imagined that all his troubles <!-- Page 176 --><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176" />came +from that biped or monkey hanging up yonder, just within reach of his +claws if he arose on his hind legs. Hence his eagerness to make the +attempt.</p> + +<p>"Pull up, quick!" exclaimed Frank as the grizzly rushed under the tree +and immediately started to rear up.</p> + +<p>The daring cowboy had held out until the very last second, meaning that +nothing should balk his design of enticing the enemy under their refuge, +where Frank could get in his work.</p> + +<p>Afterward Frank understood his motive. Reddy was especially fond of him, +though he also liked all of the other chums. He believed that Jerry had +secured enough honors in being given the chance to knock over the other +bear, and it was his desire to see Frank even up the score.</p> + +<p>Just in the nick of time the cowboy swung his legs up around the limb. +The horrible claws of the grizzly swept through the air not a foot below +where he had hung. Frank shuddered at the consequences had anything +happened to bring Reddy within reach of such a powerful beast.</p> + +<p>"Now get him, Frank!" gasped the one who hung on with arms and legs.</p> + +<p>Neither Bluff nor Jerry thought to shoot a second time. They seemed to +understand that the <!-- Page 177 --><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177" />game had passed them by, and that it was Frank's +turn.</p> + +<p>When he saw the right chance the young sportsman pulled the trigger. He +had not made any mistake in judging just where he should aim, for with +the report of his rifle the grizzly floundered, and fell over.</p> + +<p>"Wow! That did the business!" shouted Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, boys! Don't get down yet!" called Mr. Mabie hastily, as he +thought he detected a disposition on the part of either Bluff or Jerry +to drop from their secure perches to the ground.</p> + +<p>It was well they refrained, for already the monster was once more on his +feet, and, roaring with fury, endeavoring to reach the enemies who clung +there so tantalizingly, just beyond his extended claws.</p> + +<p>"Give him another!" cried Reddy promptly.</p> + +<p>Frank did; and wishing to end the beast as quickly as possible, he aimed +to send the lead straight to the heart. But he was compelled to use +every bullet in his six-shot repeater before the giant received his +quietus, and rolled over, to rise no more.</p> + +<p>Frank had a queer feeling as he dropped to the ground and stood over his +big game. Deep down in his heart he envied his chum, because <!-- Page 178 --><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178" />Jerry had +been able to kill <i>his</i> grizzly while the beast was charging him.</p> + +<p>"It may be all right," he said to Mr. Mabie, "and it's a good thing to +get rid of these savage animals in any old way, but I hope I don't take +part in another affair like this. He had no chance, poor old chap."</p> + +<p>The old rancher looked admiringly at the boy.</p> + +<p>"Those sentiments do you proud, lad, and I appreciate them, too; but +business, in my line, must go ahead of sentiment, and this old Charlie +was doing me a bad turn. My herds will rest easier now that he is gone," +he said feelingly.</p> + +<p>Leaving Billy and Reddy to secure the hide of the second grizzly, the +others returned to camp. Restless Jerry tried the fishing again, and as +before, success came his way.</p> + +<p>"I'd give something to have my little <i>Red Rover</i> here, in that swift +water," sighed Bluff, as he and Frank sat on the edge of the bluff, +listening to the rush of the river while it sped on its way to the lower +country.</p> + +<p>"Well, a canoe might be fine for shooting downstream, but I don't +believe you'd find it as safe in the rapids as those hide boats. The +rocks can't smash in their sides, like cedar or canvas craft. Better to +do as the natives do, I find, whenever I <!-- Page 179 --><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179" />go anywhere. They know by +experience what's best," returned Frank wisely.</p> + +<p>"Look there! A cowboy coming like the wind up the river, waving his hat +over his head! Say! d'ye suppose anything's gone wrong at the ranch, and +we'll have to cut our hunt short?" exclaimed Bluff anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess not. You see, those fellows are built that way. They never +can do anything without excitement. See! He's holding up something that +looks like a mail pouch," said Frank composedly.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course that's it! I heard Mr. Mabie say he expected mail +to-day, and, for one, I'll be mighty glad to hear from the folks," +sighed Bluff.</p> + +<p>"What? Not getting homesick already, I hope?" smiled his chum.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, only a fellow naturally likes to hear from his mom and +dad when he's away so far," declared Bluff stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and also from some other fellow's sister, in the bargain. Nellie +never finds time to write to me when I'm away, leaving all that to the +old folks; but I notice that you always manage to get a letter in her +handwriting."</p> + +<p>"Well, I made her solemnly promise to write every other day, you see," +explained Bluff, while <!-- Page 180 --><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180" />he suddenly became red in the face, hurrying off +to get his mail.</p> + +<p>There were letters for all the boys. Jerry was called in from his +entrancing sport to receive his share, and Frank noticed that he, too, +had a sweet-looking missive in a schoolgirl hand. Of course, it must be +from Mame Crosby, for Jerry and she were great friends.</p> + +<p>"Here's something enclosed in my letter, and directed to Mr. Frank +Langdon. Does anybody know a fellow by that name?" asked Will, holding +up a delicate envelope that seemed to exhale a fragrance all its own.</p> + +<p>"And sealed, too! What a breach of etiquette!" jeered Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Now, <i>will</i> you be good?" observed Bluff, glad of a chance to return +the favor.</p> + +<p>"That's all right. Possibly Violet wants to make some inquiries +concerning her twin brother, how he behaves, and if he has developed any +rash spirit calculated to get him into trouble. I remember telling her +that if she felt anxious just to drop me a line, and I'd answer."</p> + +<p>Frank unblushingly took the envelope from the extended fingers of Will.</p> + +<p>"Open it!" commanded Bluff.</p> + +<p>"You'll have to excuse me, fellows. That wouldn't be hardly fair to my +correspondent, you <!-- Page 181 --><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181" />know. She expects me to keep her secrets." And Frank +coolly sauntered off as he spoke.</p> + +<p>Nor did he ever take them into his confidence with regard to what the +contents of that scented missive might be. Even Will was not told. +However, like most brothers, it can be said that he did not seem overly +anxious to learn. He had, perhaps, secrets of his own.</p> + +<p>Once again they were seated around the campfire. Supper had been, as +usual, a great success, and while the older members of the party smoked, +our boys amused themselves in various ways.</p> + +<p>Will was, of course, busy with his photographic outfit. His field +dark-room was a success, and he developed his films, and did all other +things necessary, with little or no trouble. Indeed, he had an apparatus +whereby he could carry on this operation successfully even in the +daytime; but he usually worked at night, because there was nothing else +going on then.</p> + +<p>The others had fallen into a conversation connected with their home +life. Reddy hovered near, listening, and Frank wondered why that wistful +look had come into the eyes of the young cowboy. Possibly he had a home +somewhere—perhaps memories of a mother or father had crowded into his +mind while the boys were talking of the sacred ties that bound them to +Centerville.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 182 --><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182" />Frank had always believed there must be something of a history attached +to Reddy's past. He had even hoped that some time the other might take +such a liking to him as to speak of his own folks. His manner gave Frank +the impression that the dashing cowboy might have had a new longing +spring up in his breast since their coming to the ranch, a desire to +once again visit the scenes of his boyhood.</p> + +<p>So, as they talked, referring to many of the events of the past, names +were often mentioned, and as a thought came to him, Frank happened to +say:</p> + +<p>"I wonder how Hank Brady is getting on with father's new car?"</p> + +<p>He saw the cowboy start and turn white.</p> + +<p>"Who's Hank Brady?" he asked, his voice trembling.</p> + +<p>"A fellow we met under strange circumstances. Hank was on the road to +the bad, but he got his eyes open just in time. Now he's our chauffeur, +and we think he's going to make good," replied Frank, watching the other +with sudden interest.</p> + +<p>"Huh! Did you ever hear anything about his family?" asked Reddy, trying +to act in a natural manner, but hardly succeeding very well.</p> + +<p>"Yes. He's got a father and mother who were mighty anxious about him."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 183 --><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183" />And there's that good-for-nothing brother Ted he told you to keep your +eye out for up here!" broke in Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Yes; how about that, Frank? Have you ever asked about him?" exclaimed +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"No; but perhaps I'd better begin now. How about it, Reddy?" questioned +Frank.</p> + +<p>"You needn't go any further, for I can tell you all about that scalawag. +If you had asked Mr. Mabie, he'd have told you my name was Ted Brady," +was the astonishing reply.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX" /><!-- Page 184 --><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184" />CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>"WE MUST CUT AND RUN FOR IT!"</h3> + + +<p>It was surprising to see the effect of the cowboy's announcement.</p> + +<p>Frank was in some measure prepared for it. He had entertained a sudden +suspicion as he noticed the emotion of the other. But his chums seemed +almost thunderstruck.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, feebly waving his hands.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear of such luck?" ejaculated Will.</p> + +<p>"Beats a story all hollow. Here's the prodigal son found at last, eating +his dinner with the—" began Bluff, when Jerry pounced on him.</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare finish that, on your life! Of course, you can call +yourself swine, if you please, but I object. But is it really true, +Reddy? Are you Hank's long lost brother?" he asked, turning to the +other.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 185 --><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185" />I certainly am, although I ought to be ashamed of the way I've treated +my folks. All for a measly little matter, too. My eyes have been openin' +lately, and I was mighty near headin' Eastways before you came," said +the cowboy, hanging his head.</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps you'll go back with us, and surprise the folks?" suggested +Frank eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, I'd like to do that same, if so be you fellows mean it. You +see, my folks ain't always lived in Centerville. I thought that lots of +things you talked about seemed kinder familiar to me, for I was brought +up in that part of the State. Yes, I'll go home, and try and make up for +what I done to hurt the old folks. Somehow, just the idea of it makes me +feel better."</p> + +<p>He eagerly questioned the boys about his people. Of course, they did not +have much news to tell him. Hank was only a year or so older than his +brother, and the absent one was very much interested in hearing how they +had met him, and what awakened Hank to a consciousness of the terrible +mistake he was making in associating with unscrupulous men.</p> + +<p>After that Reddy assumed a new place with the boys. He seemed to be +closer to them than ever, and Frank no longer wondered why the other's +<!-- Page 186 --><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186" />sunburned face had seemed partly familiar to him when he first met him.</p> + +<p>"You and Hank are very much alike," he said, later on, to Reddy.</p> + +<p>"They used to say that at home. I was just big enough to be accused of +many of Hank's tricks, and once I got a lickin' he deserved."</p> + +<p>"And another thing," laughed Frank, "I know now what he was about to +tell me at the time I was dragged away by my folks. I was asking him how +I could ever recognize you, in case we met, and he put up his hand to +his head, but I never heard the rest of it."</p> + +<p>"Why, of course, he was going to tell you that I had a mop of beautiful +red hair, and that Teddy went with Reddy. I guess you'd have known me if +you'd heard that," was the good-natured remark of the found one.</p> + +<p>On the following day the four outdoor chums determined to set out in a +bunch to have a grand hunt, following the dense woods far down the +valley. The last words of the old stockman were a caution in connection +with the dry grass.</p> + +<p>"Be careful about a fire, lads. If you make one, be sure the last spark +is out before you leave it. A forest fire would play the mischief just +now, with everything so dry. But somehow, I've got hopes that the rain +is coming soon," and he <!-- Page 187 --><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187" />looked into the west, as though the few +low-down clouds gave him encouragement.</p> + +<p>When noon came the boys had put up a couple of elk, but at such a +distance that no one but Bluff fired, and he because he knew no better.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I wounded him?" he had the nerve to ask, whereat Jerry +looked at Frank and just smiled broadly.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, they ran off faster after I fired," asserted Bluff confidently.</p> + +<p>"I should think anything would," was all Jerry said, and if there was +malice in the remark Bluff did not know it in his innocence.</p> + +<p>While they sat down to eat the lunch they had carried along Frank called +attention to the fact that the wind had risen.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Mr. Mabie was right, after all, and there is a rainstorm coming +before long," suggested Will.</p> + +<p>"Then I hope it'll have the decency to hold off until we get home," said +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Oh, a little wetting wouldn't hurt us. We're not made of sugar or salt. +But perhaps we'd better not go any further. We've come a long way since +breakfast. This valley seems to have no end, and it broadens out down +here, too."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and, Frank, have you noticed how thick the trees grow, too? Why, +in some places a fat <!-- Page 188 --><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188" />man would have trouble getting through between the +trunks," said Jerry.</p> + +<p>"What ails Frank? He seems to be sniffing the air like a hound," asked +Will.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he always declared he had a fine scent, and I've noticed that he +knows when dinner is ready, ahead of the rest of us," remarked Jerry.</p> + +<p>Frank laughed good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"To tell the truth, I was wondering, fellows, whether we could be near +another camp," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear anybody shout?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"No; but when there came a sudden shift to the wind I thought I got a +scent of fire. No, it wasn't cooking, this time, Jerry, so don't get +ready to accuse me of that weakness again; just something burning."</p> + +<p>"Say! you don't think it could be the woods afire, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your ghost-seers, will you! Will, here, can jump on to +trouble quicker than any fellow I know. Why, if the woods were on fire, +don't you think we'd have found that fact out before now, Mr. Faint +Heart? I guess such a thing couldn't happen without a heap of smoke that +would look like a pall, and appal us, in the bargain."</p> + +<p>"Well, all I can say is, I'm not hankering after <!-- Page 189 --><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189" />any forest fire +experience after what Mr. Mabie told us about those friends of his who +were nearly burned to death seven years ago; and that was a prairie +fire, too," observed Will, continuing to cast anxious glances around.</p> + +<p>"Amen to that," remarked Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Why, you must think I'm just wild to try my legs, with a healthy blaze +jumping after me; but I'm not, all the same. Come along, Lazy-bones! +We're going to have the delightful pleasure of covering those ten miles +back again," and Jerry pulled Will to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Ten miles!" groaned the other dismally, making a pretense of hobbling, +as if his muscles had given out. "How in the world can I ever do it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, sing out when you want to stop. We'll hang you up in a tree, safe +and sound, just as I did that wolf I got; and later on one of the boys +can come for you with a horse," was Jerry's cheerful remark.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'd hate to put you to any additional trouble, so I'll try my best +to limp along," replied Will, who, of course, was only shamming, in that +he was not half so tired as he tried to make out.</p> + +<p>So they turned their faces toward the home camp, and started trudging +along, now and then <!-- Page 190 --><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190" />calling to one another as something caught their +fancy.</p> + +<p>Will had had little opportunity to make use of his picture-taking +machine this trip. His stock of films was beginning to run low, and only +special subjects must claim his attention from now on. Besides, he had +several views of the great woods, and the light was so poor under the +trees that it required a time exposure to bring out the details.</p> + +<p>"I think it's a mean shame none of you fellows think enough of me to get +up some sort of excitement, in order to let me snap you off," he was +saying as he tramped along.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! The chap really thinks that it's our duty +to do all sorts of remarkable stunts, in order that he may have the +pleasure of snapping us off in ridiculous positions!"</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear! That was the finest speech I ever knew Jerry to put up. As +a rule, he leaves the heavy talk to me, and is satisfied to just grunt +out his ideas. But look here, Frank, I believe you were right," said +Bluff, stopping to elevate his nose in a significant fashion.</p> + +<p>"Oh! dear me! Do you smell smoke, too?" demanded Will.</p> + +<p>"Why, so do I, now that you mention it. And <!-- Page 191 --><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191" />say! just cast your eyes +back of us, fellows! Don't it seem as though there was more or less +smoke in the woods over yonder?" asked Jerry.</p> + +<p>The four boys now showed sudden animation.</p> + +<p>"Hark to the wind, too! It's beginning to make a sound up there in the +tree-tops. Which way is it coming, Frank?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>Frank's face began to assume a serious look. The wind was fairly growing +stronger with every passing minute. If the woods should be afire, this +would whip the flames furiously, and send them speeding along at a +dangerous pace.</p> + +<p>"It begins to look bad for us, boys," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"What! Do you really mean it, or are you just trying to play a joke?"</p> + +<p>"You know me better than that, Will. There is certainly a brush fire +back there. Some camper has left his fire, and the rising wind has +carried it into the dead leaves," said Frank soberly, surveying his +surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Could we push forward and put it out before it does any damage?" asked +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's too late for that now. See there! The smoke is getting +thicker and thicker all the time. Boys, we might as well look the matter +straight in the face."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 192 --><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192" />What do you mean, Frank?" asked Will in a trembling voice.</p> + +<p>"We must cut and run for it, that's all, for the fire is coming +swiftly!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI" /><!-- Page 193 --><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193" />CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>NEVER GIVE UP</h3> + + +<p>At first, the boys made light of the flight. All of them were pretty +fair runners, and although the weather was warm for such exertion, they +did some clever work.</p> + +<p>"It's getting worse back there!" said Will, who brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>Frank had known this for several minutes, and was correspondingly +worried.</p> + +<p>The wind had risen to such an extent that it rushed through the +tree-tops like an express train, making a doleful sound. Nor was this +all, for they could plainly hear a crackling from the rear that was +gradually becoming a subdued roar.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I saw the fire then!" called Will a minute or two later.</p> + +<p>Looking over their shoulders as they ran, all of them had glimpses of +the flames leaping hungrily upward. What Mr. Mabie had feared all <!-- Page 194 --><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194" />along +had actually come to pass. All of them were glad, however, that it had +not been through any fault of theirs, since they had built no fire that +day.</p> + +<p>"Frank, it's catching up with us! Whatever shall we do?" panted Bluff, +close beside the one he addressed.</p> + +<p>Frank had been considering this same question. He at first thought they +might outrun the fire, but now he changed his mind. The woods were so +dense, and the vegetation so thick, that whenever they tried to make +fast time they kept tripping over trailing vines, or else banging up +against the trunks of the forest monarchs, sometimes damaging their +noses by the contact.</p> + +<p>"What was he telling us about fighting fire with fire?" asked Jerry, who +was by this time feeling not quite so jaunty as usual, but ready to +seize upon any opening that promised safety.</p> + +<p>"That was out on the prairie. I don't think the scheme would work here +in the woods. It would take too long for the second blaze to get a +start, and we'd be caught between the two fires," was Frank's reply.</p> + +<p>"But we must do something pretty soon!" cried Will.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/04.jpg" width="600" height="934" alt=""FRANK, IT'S CATCHING UP WITH US!"—page 192. + +The Outdoor Chums After Big Game." title="" /> +<b>"FRANK, IT'S CATCHING UP WITH US!"—<i>Page 192</i>.<br /> + +<i>The Outdoor Chums After Big Game</i>.</b> +</div> + +<p>Indeed, it would appear so. They were now <!-- Page 195 --><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195" /><!-- Page 196 --><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196" />enveloped in a pall of +smoke, that, entering their eyes, made them smart fiercely. Not only +that, but the fire could be seen in a dozen places behind them, leaping +up into the trees as the dried foliage offered such a splendid torch, +and the wind urged the conflagration along.</p> + +<p>"Will's right. The old thing's running us neck and crop. I believe it's +gaining on us right along!" exclaimed Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Look for a hollow tree!" cried Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Humbug! Just because you once got in one during a storm you think a +hollow tree can be used for nearly anything. Why, we'd be smothered in a +jiffy, even if we didn't get burned to a crisp! Say something else!" +shouted Bluff.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Frank—you know?" demanded Will, who, in this time of need, +somehow turned to the one whose cool head had many times managed to +extricate them from some impending danger.</p> + +<p>"We've just <i>got</i> to head another way, and try and get out of the path +of the fire, if we can. Besides, the river lies to the left," he +answered, as cheerily as he could.</p> + +<p>"The river! Hurrah!" shrieked Will in sudden elation, for the very +thought of water was a blessed relief when threatened by fire.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 197 --><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197" />We can duck under, and save our bacon!" cried Jerry.</p> + +<p>"There you go, confessing to the swine again," declared Bluff.</p> + +<p>But in spite of their light words the boys were by this time thoroughly +alarmed. The appearance of the burning woods in their immediate rear was +appalling, to say the least. High sprang the flames, and their crackling +could now be plainly heard. Indeed, the sound began to assume the +proportions of a continuous roar, such as a long freight train might +make in passing over a trestle and down a grade.</p> + +<p>Now that they were running almost sidewise to the advancing fire, it +approached much faster than before.</p> + +<p>"I felt a spark on my face, fellows!"</p> + +<p>Frank was not at all surprised to hear Will say this, for he, too, had +experienced the same thing not half a minute before. He had not +mentioned the fact, for fear of alarming his chums still more.</p> + +<p>"Keep on, fellows!" was all he said, for he needed every bit of breath +he could muster.</p> + +<p>Desperately they tried to increase their pace, but found it hard work +with so many obstacles confronting them. Will tumbled more than any <!-- Page 198 --><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198" />of +the others, somehow or other. Perhaps it was because he was carrying his +camera so carefully, and thinking more about it than his own person.</p> + +<p>Finally Frank missed him entirely.</p> + +<p>"Where's Will gone?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>The others, turning, were horrified to find their chum missing.</p> + +<p>"Keep right on, you fellows! Don't you dare stop, or follow me! I'll get +Will! The river's close by!" he called out, and then turned around, +retracing his steps directly toward the advancing fire.</p> + +<p>Never had Will seemed so precious in the sight of the boy who thus +placed his own life in jeopardy in order to save that of his chum. In +imagination Frank pictured his agony of mind if he had to tell Violet +that her twin brother had perished miserably in a forest fire, while he +escaped.</p> + +<p>"Will! Will!" he was shouting frantically, as loud as he could, and this +was not anything to boast of, for the smoke choked him, and he could +hardly keep from coughing almost constantly.</p> + +<p>"Hi! Here I am! Lost like the babes in the woods!" sang out a voice.</p> + +<p>Frank pounced on his friend, who, with smarting eyes, was fairly +staggering about, hardly knowing which way he was trying to go, having +<!-- Page 199 --><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199" />become more or less rattled by the impending peril and the state of his +own feelings.</p> + +<p>"Run for all you're worth, Will!" he said, as he clutched the sleeve of +the other almost fiercely, for they had little chance of eluding those +hungry flames now.</p> + +<p>Together they rushed along, Frank's eyes doing double duty, for Will +seemed by this time half blind, and the one free hand was constantly +rubbing his smarting orbs.</p> + +<p>"A little further, and we're safe!" he kept calling in the ear of his +nearly exhausted chum.</p> + +<p>The heat was beginning to be terrific now. Blazing branches flew through +the air, and set trees on fire all around them.</p> + +<p>"It's like the fiery furnace!" Will said three times running, and Frank +really began to fear his companion's mind was getting unsettled from the +fright of their desperate condition.</p> + +<p>Oh! if the river would only show up ahead! No doubt the others had, ere +now, gained the glorious haven, and were settled up to their necks in +the water, ready to defy the power of the opposing element. But it was +an open question whether the halting pair could ever make the shelter of +the friendly stream.</p> + +<p>"Let me go, Frank! You can make it alone!" pleaded Will.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 200 --><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200" />Shut up! Keep on running! I tell you we're going to get there, and +don't you think for a minute we ain't!" replied Frank furiously, as he +pulled Will along.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII" /><!-- Page 201 --><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201" />CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS</h3> + + +<p>"This way, Frank! Turn a little to the left!"</p> + +<p>"That's Jerry shouting! Do you hear him, Will? Keep up your heart! We're +going to cheat the old fire yet!" cried Frank.</p> + +<p>His companion seemed to pluck a little new spirit from the encouraging +shout, and his lagging feet began to show more animation. In this way +they hurried out of the already burning forest, and found themselves on +the brink of the swift current of the valley stream.</p> + +<p>"Jump in! The water's fine!" shouted Jerry, who, with Bluff, had +submerged himself up to his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"But my camera! I can't ruin it in the water!" shouted the obstinate +Will, as he looked eagerly around for some place to conceal the object +which he held in so much reverence.</p> + +<p>"Under those rocks! We chucked our guns there!" called Bluff, pointing +out the spot, in his eagerness to help matters along.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 202 --><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202" />Will hastened to thrust the beloved camera into the cavity that lay +beneath the rocks, and Frank, nothing loth, also pushed his rifle into +the same place. Then it was ludicrous to see how quickly they made a +plunge into the river.</p> + +<p>Their immersion did not come a minute too soon. Frank knew that Will's +garments were on fire in several places, and did not doubt but that his +own must be in the same condition, for the sparks were raining all +around them.</p> + +<p>"This is all right," said the irrepressible Jerry, jumping up and down +as he tried to hold out against the strong current.</p> + +<p>"All I know is that we are in luck to have this blessed old river +handy," said Frank, with more or less feeling in his voice, as he +watched the fire flash from tree to tree in pursuing its course.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a queer world. Only a few days ago it came near ending my +life up at the cataract, and now it makes amends by saving it," remarked +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"The fire doesn't seem to jump across the river," observed Will.</p> + +<p>"No; and I don't think it will, unless the wind changes quickly," said +Frank.</p> + +<p>"But it seems bound to get to our camp inside of an hour or two. What +d'ye suppose they'll do with all the duffle?" inquired Bluff uneasily.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 203 --><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203" />I'm not worried about that. Mr. Mabie will scent trouble a long way +off, and find a refuge among the rocks, if necessary; but I'm inclined +to think the fire will never get to him," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe the wind will shift, then, and blow back on us?" asked +Will.</p> + +<p>"I'm not a wind prophet. What I had in mind was that the fire would be +put out before it got three miles from here."</p> + +<p>"Put out! Do you mean to say they've a fire department up here?" +demanded Will.</p> + +<p>"Why, certainly; but it doesn't cost them a cent to maintain it. +Somebody just pulls the string, and the water comes down," laughed +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see now what you mean! It's going to rain!"</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear. He's tumbled to it at last! Sometimes it seems to me that +we'll just have to get out a special dictionary for Will, so he can find +the answers to conundrums without waste of time or energy," declared +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"That's the penalty every genius has to pay," remarked Will composedly.</p> + +<p>Every now and then the boys were compelled to duck their heads beneath +the surface of the river, for the heat became unbearable. When the worst +of the fire had gone by on the wings of <!-- Page 204 --><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204" />the furious wind, things began +to change a bit for the better.</p> + +<p>"Say! don't you think we might be getting out of here now?" demanded +Will, whose teeth, strange to say, were rattling together with the chill +of the mountain stream even while the air was still heated around them.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it will be safe, and we can stand the heat if it will assist +to dry our clothes. Though for that matter, fellows, it's ten to one we +will be soaked through and through again before we get to camp."</p> + +<p>"This is mighty unhealthy, I think. Such rapid changes always encourage +dangerous ailments," remarked Will, whose father, now dead, had been a +physician.</p> + +<p>"All the same, I know several fellows who were very much pleased to make +a sudden change a little while back," asserted Jerry.</p> + +<p>They crawled out on the bank. Will, of course, made straight for the +rocky niche toward which he had cast many an anxious look while standing +in the river.</p> + +<p>"Good! Everything is all right, boys! Not a bit of damage done, that I +can see!" he called out.</p> + +<p>They kept close to the river in making their way along. Perhaps the main +idea in this was to <!-- Page 205 --><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205" />have a handy refuge in case a sudden need arose.</p> + +<p>"There she comes!" remarked Bluff, in less than ten minutes.</p> + +<p>"What? Where?" asked Will, staring around.</p> + +<p>A deep bellow of near-by thunder answered him. Then the rain began to +fall in torrents. Will always carried a piece of waterproof cloth, to be +used for wrapping around his precious camera on occasions when it was +threatened with rain. This he brought into use, and at the same time +tried to keep the little black box sheltered as much as possible under +his coat.</p> + +<p>From one extreme they had jumped to the other. First it was a +superabundance of fire, and now water began to trouble them.</p> + +<p>"I'm soaked through again," announced Jerry dolefully, as he allowed the +wind to carry him along through the blackened timber.</p> + +<p>"And I just bet that old fire has been squashed out before this," +spluttered Bluff. "Don't you say so, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"If it hasn't, it soon will be. Did you ever see it come down harder?"</p> + +<p>"Must be trying to make up for the drouth of the last two months. Mr. +Mabie said that when it did come we'd likely get a drencher. We're +getting it, all right," declared Jerry.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 206 --><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206" />For another half hour they kept on, though the walking was very hard.</p> + +<p>"A fine-looking crowd we are," declared Frank, as he surveyed his +blackened leggings and sodden coat.</p> + +<p>"But it seems to me things don't look quite so bad around here," +observed Will.</p> + +<p>"Well, they don't, for a fact. Frank, we've reached the fire limit, I do +believe!" cried Bluff.</p> + +<p>Everybody was glad to know it, for many reasons. The walking would be +better, they could by degrees wash off the black stains that had been +covering their clothes, and last, but far from least, the camp would be +safe.</p> + +<p>"I'll never forget this day's experience, that's sure," Jerry was +saying, half an hour later, as, they still plodded on, with some miles +still ahead of them that must be gone over before they reached camp.</p> + +<p>"And every time I look at the picture of the fire it'll bob up before me +and make me shudder," remarked Will.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about that, will you! Do you mean to say you had the nerve +to stop and snap off some views of that hot old fire while the rest of +us were shinning it as fast as we could?" demanded Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course I did! What do you take me <!-- Page 207 --><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207" />for? Who else would have +preserved that exciting episode for future generations to enjoy, if I +hadn't? That's what I'm here for," replied Will in surprise.</p> + +<p>"And I suppose that was what made you so late Frank had to go back and +hunt you up, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose it was, Bluff; but don't you scold now. I guess you'll enjoy +those views as much as any one. There's only one thing I regret, +fellows."</p> + +<p>"And I can guess what that is. You wish you had taken the rest of us up +to our chins in the drink," remarked Frank, whereat Will nodded eagerly, +crying out:</p> + +<p>"Oh! it would have been a great sight! Think how many times it might +chase the blues away when some of us felt downcast! I wish, now, I had +asked you to go back and give me the chance."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! Was there ever such an +indefatigable—hey, Bluff! Is that the word I want?—artist as our meek +little pard here? Sometimes he seems so timid, and then again he shows +more nerve than the whole bunch put together. I thought I knew him to a +dot, but I confess I'm puzzled," grunted Jerry.</p> + +<p>"The rain has stopped, fellows," announced Frank a little later.</p> + +<p>"But just look at the river! Must have been <!-- Page 208 --><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208" />a cloudburst, as they call +it out in the Rockies, Mr. Mabie says. It's just rising right before our +eyes!"</p> + +<p>"Then they'll have to change the camp, because by this time the water +must be up to where the tents were pitched. Why, see there, Frank! Isn't +that water over yonder, too, on the right of us?" asked Bluff, pointing +through the woods.</p> + +<p>"As sure as you live, and rushing madly on, too. We are between two +rivers, it seems, with the water rising like a tidal wave. Perhaps we +may have to take to a tree yet, fellows," announced Frank after a long +look.</p> + +<p>"H'm! These trees are sure handy to have around! We shin up one to avoid +all sorts of dangers, it seems to me. And by the looks of that wall of +water coming down on us just now, the sooner we climb, the better for +us!" cried Jerry, suiting his actions to his words, and seizing the +lower limb of a friendly oak, into which he clambered hastily, followed +by his three chums, just as a five-foot wave swept under them, for all +the world resembling a "curler" rolling in from the ocean and up the +beach.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII" /><!-- Page 209 --><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209" />CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE STAMPEDE</h3> + + +<p>"What d'ye call this, anyway?" exclaimed Bluff, panting with his +exertions.</p> + +<p>"I'd say it was crowding the mourners, for these things to chase each +other so fast, and the elements to make playthings out of four confiding +chums," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! First a scorching, then put to soak, +after which comes another hot experience, and now treed by a flood! Upon +my word, things are happening a little too rapid even for me," put in +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"There!" remarked Will, with a satisfied chuckle. "I think you three +fellows will make a splendid showing, perched along that limb like a lot +of crows, and the water rolling along below."</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about the industrious photographer! If that chap hasn't +taken our pictures in this ridiculous attitude! Why, they'll believe +<!-- Page 210 --><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210" />we've gone back to the old days, when our ancestors used to live in +trees."</p> + +<p>"Speak for yourself, Jerry. I refuse to admit that I am descended from a +monkey," declared Bluff indignantly.</p> + +<p>"How long do you suppose we may have to hang out here?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"Oh, a day or so, I suppose," replied Jerry, keeping a straight face.</p> + +<p>"A day or so! Listen to him say that without a show of feeling! Why, +long before that time elapsed I'd grow so weak from fatigue that I'd +have to be strapped to my limb to keep from falling into the treacherous +water," stammered Will.</p> + +<p>"And what of me?" burst out Bluff. "I'd waste away to a mere shadow from +hunger. Sooner than submit to that, I'd try swimming ashore."</p> + +<p>"Do you think the water will get any higher? Could it possibly overwhelm +us in this tree? We could climb up twenty feet if necessary."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hardly think that emergency is going to arise, Will; not at +this time, at least. To tell the truth, the water is already receding," +announced Frank, taking pity on Jerry's victims, both of whom looked +worried.</p> + +<p>"Oh! do you really think so?" cried Will. "Then Jerry is only up to some +of his old foolishness. Yes, I can see that it does not quite come up to +<!-- Page 211 --><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211" />the wet mark on the trunk of the tree. Then perhaps we won't have to +stay up here all night."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess not. I expect that in less than twenty minutes we'll be +once more afoot, and on our way to camp. This must have been a genuine +cloudburst, and they tell me those sort of things, while severe at the +time, are quickly over."</p> + +<p>"Bully for you, Frank! You always look on the bright side of things, +while Jerry tries to dash a fellow's spirits. Things have come out +pretty well, after all. We've had some strange experiences, come through +them all in decent shape, and to cap the whole thing I've captured some +dandy views. I can hardly wait to develop them."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, then. Plenty of water at hand for washing off the hypo," +suggested Jerry wickedly.</p> + +<p>By the time the twenty minutes had expired the water had subsided so far +that the imprisoned chums were able to lower themselves from the tree +and once more resume their journey.</p> + +<p>Of course, they were an uncomfortable lot, being soaked to the skin, +and, as Will declared, looking like a lot of hoboes. Brisk exertion kept +them from feeling cold, however; but they were one and all delighted to +set eyes on the familiar tents of the home camp.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 212 --><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212" />Their welcome was a warm one, for Mr. Mabie had been more or less +worried concerning them, owing to the forest fire and the fierce +cloudburst.</p> + +<p>"We hoped you were safe, and tried to believe it, boys; but at the same +time, even a veteran hunter in these parts might have been caught +napping, and I tell you we're mighty glad to see you back safe and +sound. Now, tell us how it happened," was Mr. Mabie's greeting as he +squeezed a hand of each.</p> + +<p>"If you mean the fire, sir, we know nothing about it. We have not struck +a match since leaving here, and only Bluff shot once. The fire came from +an entirely different quarter, I assure you," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"I never doubted that, my lad. I've seen enough of you boys to know that +after all I've said none of you would be careless enough to endanger +things. But perhaps, after all, the fire was more of a blessing than +otherwise, for it probably helped to hurry that rainstorm along, and +that has saved our pastures."</p> + +<p>Of course, the boys were for getting into dry clothes at once. The fire +was heaped high with fresh fuel, so that a delightful warmth would be +diffused around the immediate vicinity, after which there was a general +change of garments.</p> + +<p>"I feel better than I thought I would after all <!-- Page 213 --><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213" />that rumpus," admitted +Bluff, as he capered about, trying to keep his muscles from getting +stiff.</p> + +<p>"We'll look back to this day as one of the strangest in all our +experience," remarked Frank, hanging his wet garments where the sun +would fall upon them, for the clouds had passed away, leaving a clear +sky overhead.</p> + +<p>"How much longer do we stay here?" asked Will, who had been doing some +figuring. "Because my films are getting low. I have three rolls still at +the ranch house, and when they're exhausted my business is done."</p> + +<p>"Sorry to tell you, lads, that I had word from the house while you were +gone, and it's absolutely necessary for me to start back in the morning. +Now, if you would like to remain a little longer in camp, why, Reddy and +Billy will keep you company. Don't give up unless you're satisfied with +what fun you've had," said the stockman just then.</p> + +<p>The boys looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"I think we've seen enough of this life, and that there are dozens of +things about the ranch we ought to know more about. So I vote that we +return with Mr. Mabie," was Frank's suggestion.</p> + +<p>"Count me in that," echoed Jerry.</p> + +<p>"And I'm just wild to print a few of the re<!-- Page 214 --><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214" />markable pictures I've made +up here, which I can't do until we get back to the house; so I'm only +too willing to say yes to the proposition," put in Will.</p> + +<p>"And I'm just as happy one place as the other, so long as the cook +doesn't strike, or put us on short rations," added Bluff.</p> + +<p>In this spirit of humor it was therefore decided that on the following +morning they would break camp and return to the ranch.</p> + +<p>"I feel that I'm cheating you out of some of your expected fun, boys," +apologized the stockman that evening, as they were packing some of their +stuff, so as to lighten the labor in the morning.</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know what else we could do here. Seems to me we've about +exhausted the list of excitements. We've shot elk, grizzlies, a panther, +a wolf, met up with Indians, been chased by a forest fire, soaked in the +river and treed by a cloudburst. There could hardly be anything more, +sir," laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well, I admit that you have made hay while the sun shone; and such a +pushing lot of boys always will get all the fun there is going. It's +been the happiest event of my last ten years of life to have you with +me, and when you see my old side partner of long ago just tell him that +I'll <!-- Page 215 --><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215" />never get over being thankful to him for having sent you up here +to break the dreadful monotony of existence on a stock ranch."</p> + +<p>They passed a delightful evening. The boys sang many of their school +songs, and Bluff was induced to give a recitation, which called forth +vociferous applause from the cowboy audience.</p> + +<p>"I can see very plainly that you are going to make a worthy successor to +that lawyer father of yours, Bluff," declared Mr. Mabie as he clapped +his hands.</p> + +<p>"And I expect to live to see him on the Supreme Bench yet," said Jerry +seriously.</p> + +<p>In the morning preparations for their departure were soon completed. The +tents, and all material connected with the camp, went in the wagon, +while the boys, together with Mr. Mabie and Reddy, rode horseback. It +was an invigorating gallop back to the ranch house, and on the way the +chums indulged in a number of little races. But Will would not allow +himself to enter as he was afraid that something might happen to his +precious camera, which he carried by a strap over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Once back in their old quarters, for several days the boys took life +easy, each being busily engaged in some favorite pursuit. Will developed +all his films, and made copious prints of the same, which <!-- Page 216 --><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216" />kept him in a +feverish state of mind. When one turned out especially fine he was in +the seventh heaven of delight; and if he met with disappointment, which +was seldom the case, his laments were dismal indeed.</p> + +<p>Thus a week more passed, and the boys were beginning to think of turning +their faces toward the East again. They would leave the ranch with many +regrets, for Mr. Mabie had certainly quite won their youthful hearts by +his genial ways.</p> + +<p>Frank was the last one to meet with an adventure on this occasion, which +was fated to be written down in his logbook as worthy of remembrance.</p> + +<p>He had been out riding, and his horse, stepping into a gopher hole, +threw him. Frank was not seriously hurt, but the horse went lame, so +that he could not be ridden. As this happened miles away from the house, +and night was coming on, with a storm threatening, Frank knew he was in +for an experience; but even then he did not dream of all that was down +on the bills for that special occasion.</p> + +<p>Through the darkness he went, leading his limping horse. Then the storm +broke, and the crash of thunder, as well as the vivid lightning, <!-- Page 217 --><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217" />was +something such as he could not remember ever meeting before.</p> + +<p>He was just thinking that the pony had recovered enough to enable him to +mount and make his way slowly along, as the ranch house was not more +than a mile off, when something came to his ears that arrested his +attention. For half a minute he wondered what it might be, sounding like +increasing thunder. Then the appalling truth flashed upon him. There was +a stampede of cattle, and he seemed to be directly in the way of the +madly galloping herd!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV" /><!-- Page 218 --><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218" />CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>A MYSTERY SOLVED</h3> + + +<p>Frank, after that one spasm of alarm, gritted his teeth, and thought +fast. He had heard the rancher, as well as the cowboys, speak of the +terrors of the stampede, when the cattle were in a frenzy, through fear, +and utterly beyond all management.</p> + +<p>He knew that frequently experienced cowmen, caught in the rush of a +thousand lumbering steers, had been ground to death under countless +hoofs. It was so in the old days, when bison dotted the plains of the +great West.</p> + +<p>Mounted on a good horse, one might hope to ride clear of the advancing +avalanche of hoofs and horns. But his steed was lame, and hardly able to +limp along. The situation was one calculated to arouse a boy as he had +never been awakened before in all his life.</p> + +<p>Frank jumped upon the back of his horse. He <!-- Page 219 --><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219" />knew instantly that his one +hope must lie in getting clear of the immense herd; and that this could +only be done by either riding faster than they were going down the wide +valley, or in making for the nearest hillside, where trees would offer +him a refuge.</p> + +<p>He chose the latter. Flight in a straightaway course was utterly out of +the question with a cripple between his knees.</p> + +<p>"Get up, Hector! Do your prettiest now!" he called to his horse.</p> + +<p>The poor beast was trying his hardest to run well, but making only a +pretense, after all, since that lame leg kept him from speedy progress. +Doubtless Hector, being a cow pony, knew full well the nature of the +peril that menaced them, and if it lay in his power he would bear his +young master to a point of safety.</p> + +<p>Frank's heart seemed to be in his throat as he leaned forward and +listened to the rapidly approaching roar of hundreds upon hundreds of +hoofs, mingled with the horrid clashing of horns. Added to this was the +deep-toned thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning.</p> + +<p>Once, when he looked to the left, he could see the moving mass that was +sweeping horribly close. After that he resolutely kept his attention +riveted <!-- Page 220 --><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220" />in front, where the ridge loomed up against the darkened +heavens.</p> + +<p>Everything depended upon how far he was from the nearest trees. Seconds +counted with Frank just then. The lightning flashed every quarter of a +minute, and yet it seemed to him that they were ages apart.</p> + +<p>With his heart in his throat, as it seemed, he stared ahead, and waited +for the next flash to show him the worst. Unless the trees were close +by, his case seemed hopeless, for the main herd appeared to have pushed +over to this side of the valley, unfortunately, showing that he had +picked the wrong course when he started.</p> + +<p>Hector stumbled more than once, and Frank feared he would be thrown. He +even wondered whether it would not be better for him to throw himself to +the ground while he had the chance, and trust to his own legs to carry +him to safety.</p> + +<p>Then came the eagerly anticipated flash. Hope sprang anew in his breast, +for he had discovered the trees close at hand. One more gallant effort +on the part of the crippled pony, and they managed to pass behind the +outposts of the timber, just as the beginning of the terrible rushing +stampede swept by.</p> + +<p>There Frank sat upon his pony, breathing hard, <!-- Page 221 --><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221" />and patting the poor +animal reassuringly. He could hear the loud cries of the cowboys and Mr. +Mabie as they circled about the terrified cattle, trying by every means +possible to influence them to mill; but in that gloom it was impossible +to carry out the usual tactics, and by degrees the sounds died away far +down the valley.</p> + +<p>Frank walked with his lame pony to the ranch house. Here he found his +chums in a fright because of his absence. They were afraid he had been +caught in the mad stampede and ground under the hoofs of the steers.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie did not show up until long after midnight. The storm had +passed away, and the sky cleared by that time. The boys were sitting up, +waiting, none of them thinking of seeking his bed.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Frank, my lad! I'm mighty glad to find you here, safe and sound. +I saw your pony at the stable, and that you had bound up his leg, +showing a sprain. But I was afraid that something more serious had been +the matter. You don't know how relieved I was to see your horse; and +Reddy, too. The poor fellow has been in a sweat with fear ever since the +stampede broke out," was the hearty way the rancher greeted Frank as he +came bustling in.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 222 --><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222" />Oh, I was right in the line of the rush, but by clever work on the +part of my pony managed to reach the trees before they caught me. But +what's the report about the cattle, sir?" asked Frank eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The boys have halted them about ten miles from here. Thanks to the +storm stopping, and the animals getting leg weary, we managed to head +them off. Little damage done, except to our feelings. These things +happen once in a while, and are really unavoidable. Steers in a panic +are crazy; but then I suppose the same would apply to human beings, if +all accounts are true that I read about theater fires and such things."</p> + +<p>He asked many questions concerning Frank's adventure.</p> + +<p>"You just happened to choose the wrong side, lad. Had you headed the +other way you would have had little trouble. The storm came from that +quarter, and a cowboy must have known that cattle always run <i>away</i> from +the lightning and rain. But fortunately you made the timber, and; as the +subject is unpleasant, we'll drop it for the present. Now get off to +bed, the lot of you. In the morning, if you want, I'll take you down +with me, and show you how we drive a big herd."</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 223 --><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223" />I've got my last roll of films in the camera, and that would make a +mighty fine set of pictures to finish up with; but, oh! what wouldn't I +give if I could have caught Frank, here, riding for life on that +crippled pony, and the stampede sweeping down on him!" said Will +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about your cold-blooded savages! Does anything equal a crank +with a camera, bent on snapping off everything that happens?" muttered +Jerry, shaking his head in real or assumed disgust.</p> + +<p>"That is the fate of every genius, to be misunderstood and +misrepresented when ready to sacrifice comfort and everything to his +art. But I am not the only one who is a crank. I have known fellows so +proud of their lungs, that night after night they insisted on filling +the air mattresses of the party just to prove which could blow the +harder; while the other two members of the party sat by and laughed."</p> + +<p>Frank chuckled at hearing this, and both Bluff and Jerry looked daggers, +for the shot hit home with them.</p> + +<p>In the morning the boys did accompany the rancher down the valley. Frank +showed them his course on the previous night, and they fol<!-- Page 224 --><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224" />lowed his +line of travel until the trees were reached. Trail there was none, for +hundreds of cloven hoofs had pounded the soil about that spot, showing +how narrow had been his escape.</p> + +<p>The cowboys were found to have the big herd well in hand. It was even +then on the way back to its former feeding ground. Some of the steers +showed the effects of the mad rush, in various cuts from the horns of +their fellows; and several had tripped and gone down to death in the +panic, the herd trampling them into an unrecognizable mass.</p> + +<p>Of course, Will satisfied his longing, and secured what pictures he +wanted.</p> + +<p>"I'm happy in having carried out my plans. Won't the home folks stare +when they see the panorama of views I've gathered!" he said jubilantly.</p> + +<p>"I should think they would," remarked Jerry, shrugging his shoulders, +"for you certainly have a collection of freak pictures, some of which +would take the prize."</p> + +<p>"But all of this lot are genuine. Nobody had to prance around a tree +with a dead yellow dog on his feet, pretending to chase after him," +asserted Will.</p> + +<p>"Whose doing was that, eh? Tell me that! <!-- Page 225 --><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225" />Didn't you just plead with me +to make a fool of myself, and to save you pain I consented. I suppose +I'll never hear the end of that fool joke," growled Jerry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you will. It's all in the family. Others don't know the dog +was dead when he had his picture taken. They all say he looks as though +about to snap a piece out of your leg. Now, I think we've just had a +glorious time of it up here, with nothing to mar our pleasure," remarked +Frank, the peacemaker.</p> + +<p>"Except that miserable job of mine in leaving my knife home," sighed +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Talk to me about that, will you! He hasn't forgotten it yet!" exclaimed +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"I never can. Hello! Here comes Reddy with a bag of mail, the last we'll +get, I suppose, before we go home. A letter for me? Now just keep your +eyes to yourselves, fellows. I admit it's from Nellie, but no doubt the +dear girl is anxious about her brother Frank, and wants information from +a thoroughly reliable quarter."</p> + +<p>Bluff sought out a lonesome corner of the big piazza in front of the +ranch house, and presently all hands were absorbed in their letters. +Suddenly the others heard Bluff utter an exclamation, and looked up just +in time to see him sprint into the building.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 226 --><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226" />What d'ye suppose ails the fellow?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"Give it up. He seemed to have a broad grin on his face, as though +Nellie must have written something especially sweet. But here he comes +out again, dancing like a wild Indian. What's he waving above his head, +fellows?" said Frank.</p> + +<p>"It's his lost hunting-knife, as sure as you live!" echoed Will.</p> + +<p>"Just to think of it, boys! The beauty was in my clothes bag all the +time, and I didn't know it! Nellie did it. She mentions the fact in this +letter, and says she was so afraid I'd hurt myself with that knife, by +accident, that she rolled it up in this new flannel shirt, which I've +never thought to put on as yet, and thrust it down at the bottom of my +clothes bag. I never thought to pull it out; and now that the big-game +hunt is over I get my trusty blade."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about that, will you! And you thought I was to blame," remarked +Jerry.</p> + +<p>"For which I beg your pardon. After all, perhaps no harm was done, and +since Nellie only did it from the best of motives, why, I would be +foolish to be angry."</p> + +<p>"Sensible for once," observed Frank, winking at the others.</p> + +<p>"<!-- Page 227 --><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227" />And so we will leave the ranch without the slightest cloud on the +horizon. Fellows, all I can say is we're a lucky lot of boys," observed +Will positively.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV" /><!-- Page 228 --><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228" />CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>HOME AGAIN—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Saying good-by was harder than the boys had anticipated. They had really +enjoyed themselves so immensely up there at the ranch in the wilderness +that the thought of never seeing it more brought gloom upon their +spirits.</p> + +<p>Of course, the fact that they were heading toward home, and the dear +ones awaiting their coming, made their sorrow lighter.</p> + +<p>They had sent their trunk away on the previous evening, so that it would +be at the far distant station awaiting their coming. On horseback, then, +they were to cover the route that on their arrival they had done on a +buckboard.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mabie, Reddy and Billy accompanied them, the stockman and Billy to +bring back the mounts after the train had borne their young friends +away. Reddy, of course, expected to accompany the boys East, to at least +visit his family. He <!-- Page 229 --><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229" />could not promise to remain at home, for the magic +of the magnificent country of the Northwest called loudly to him; but he +was taking home his savings, and meant to make his parents happy.</p> + +<p>"I'll never forget all the good times you've given us, Mr. Mabie," said +Frank, as he squeezed the hand of their good friend when the whistle of +the approaching train was heard as it came booming out of the cut, a +mile away.</p> + +<p>"My dear boy, on my part I can never thank you and your jolly chums half +enough for the delightful time you've given me. It will seem dreary here +after you're gone. I haven't been so happy for years," was the reply of +the stockman, as he beamed upon the cluster of bright faces around him.</p> + +<p>"But you know you promised to make us a visit when we're home from +college next Christmas. Don't forget that, sir!" declared Will.</p> + +<p>"I certainly will not, if I'm alive. And Will, one of the inducements +for such a long journey is the expectation of seeing that remarkable +book of interesting views, containing reminders of so many of the +exploits of the Outdoor Club. I'm sure that alone would repay me for the +trip," laughed the other.</p> + +<p>"You won't forget about shipping those skins <!-- Page 230 --><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230" />and things, sir? We want +them for reminders of the happiest trip this club ever took. Every time +we look at those rugs we'll think of you and your Big M ranch," remarked +Bluff.</p> + +<p>"They'll go in a few days, boys, just as soon as the skins are in proper +shape for transportation, depend on it. And I'll let you know when +Pierre is placed under arrest, and the exiled chief, Running Elk, goes +back to his people with all honor."</p> + +<p>The last they saw of Mr. Mabie and Billy, they were waving their big +hats vigorously on the little station platform. Then a curve of the road +shut them out, and the four chums settled back in their seats to talk +over the thousand and one matters that claimed their attention.</p> + +<p>It is not in youth to grieve for long. They felt bad at leaving the +scene of these recent happy events; but presently, in anticipation of +the reunion with loved ones at home, this was temporarily forgotten.</p> + +<p>Will bemoaned the fact that he had not one single film left.</p> + +<p>"And there are so many things I'd like to take on the way home," he +sighed, "and which I let slip on the way up."</p> + +<p>"Yes," remarked Jerry laughingly, "it's won<!-- Page 231 --><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231" />derful what game you see +when you haven't a gun. But what's the matter with you trying to get a +roll at the first town? Perhaps we may stop long enough, and they may +have photographic supplies at the station."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for the suggestion, Jerry. It was a bright thought—for you; +but I mean to take advantage of it, and make inquiries."</p> + +<p>Jerry gave him a queer look. Will was a fellow he could not fully +understand. He seemed to be made up of contradictions, sometimes simple, +and again shrewd; now as timid as a girl, and under certain conditions +showing the bravery of a lion. Jerry knew Bluff as he did his own +nature, and could dispute with him with energy, but in the case of Will +he was always glad to drop the subject before he found he had burned his +fingers.</p> + +<p>Nothing of moment happened on the journey, at least nothing worthy of +mention. Will did manage to secure a roll of films at the first town. A +messenger came to the car with it, and Frank always supposed from that +that his eccentric companion must have wired ahead for supplies. When +Will wanted anything he meant to get it, if there was any possible way +of so doing.</p> + +<p>In due time they arrived at the station in Cen<!-- Page 232 --><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232" />terville, where a host of +relatives and friends awaited their coming. There was a roar of many +voices as the four chums appeared in view, and our boys quickly found +themselves being hugged and kissed in a most indiscriminate fashion.</p> + +<p>If some of the girls, in the confusion, kissed the brothers of their +friends, as well as their own, that was not to be wondered at, and +everybody seemed as happy as could be, despite these natural blunders.</p> + +<p>Finally they managed to push outside the station.</p> + +<p>"Where's Hank Brady?" called Frank aloud.</p> + +<p>"Here!" said that worthy, stepping forward from the motor-car, and +holding out his hand eagerly to the friend who had been so instrumental +in assisting him to get his slipping feet on steady ground.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Hank! Here's your brother Teddy!"</p> + +<p>In this abrupt fashion did he bring the two face to face. Hank turned +white, and stared hard at the bronzed young cowboy for a moment; then he +caught hold of him, and the long separated; brothers were in each +other's arms.</p> + +<p>"Sure, the old folks will be happy this night, Ted, to see you again! I +never hoped they'd find you when I asked Mr. Frank to keep on the +lookout," was what Hank was saying, as he <!-- Page 233 --><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233" />turned a moist eye in the +direction of the boy who had done so much to bring happiness to his +home.</p> + +<p>Bluff and Nellie were seen talking earnestly close by. Probably he was +telling her about the surprise she gave him in that last letter when +revealing what she had done with his wonderful hunting-knife.</p> + +<p>Now that they were home again, with vacation nearing an end, the boys +would not have so much time to indulge in their pastimes on the lake, so +that they were keen to make hay while the sun shone. Consequently, they +fairly haunted the lake, and the canoes were in use every day from that +time on. Nor were they alone in this love of the open, for many an +evening each canoe had its complement of fair ones, whose sweet voices +blended with those of the four outdoor chums as they paddled in the +moonlight over the rippling water.</p> + +<p>College was ahead of them, but as they expected to keep together still, +the Outdoor Club was not to be disbanded by any means. Often in future +days they expected to once more sit around a campfire in company, +enjoying the delights of an outing, and recalling many of the wonderful +experiences that came their way in days that were past.</p> + +<p>And there, written down in Frank's diary, or <!-- Page 234 --><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234" />logbook, were the accounts +of their first camp above the loggers' settlement, at the head of the +lake; the one on Wildcat Island; then the third, among the Sunset +Mountains, when they solved the mystery of Oak Ridge's ghost; and also +their wonderful cruise down a Florida river and along the border of the +great Mexican Gulf; while this journey to the cattle ranch of Mr. Mabie, +in the wilderness of the Northwest, would complete the list.</p> + +<p>How many times, as they read of these exploits, and surveyed the +splendid pictures Will had secured during their various campaigns, would +the scenes of the happy past come before their mental vision! They could +hardly expect to equal these glorious days in the times to come, but no +one who knew their love for the open would dare predict that the Outdoor +Club would cease to exist with the going to college of its four members.</p> + +<p>Perchance they may yet have other camps in strange places, and perhaps +it may be our pleasant duty to chronicle the happenings of the four +chums when again they erect their tents, or it may be, paddle their +canoes on other waters.</p> + +<p>Wherever they go, and in whatever line of business they may find their +life work, it can be taken <!-- Page 235 --><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235" />for granted that the lessons learned when +living this life of self-reliance in the open must always prove of the +greatest value to The Outdoor Chums.</p> + + +<h5>THE END</h5> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Chums After Big Game +by Captain Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME *** + +***** This file should be named 15188-h.htm or 15188-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/1/8/15188/ + +Produced by Janet Kegg, Charles Aldarondo, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Chums After Big Game + Or, Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness + +Author: Captain Quincy Allen + +Release Date: February 27, 2005 [EBook #15188] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME *** + + + + +Produced by Janet Kegg, Charles Aldarondo, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + [Illustration: FILLED WITH MAD RAGE, HE WAS GALLOPING STRAIGHT + TOWARD THEM!--_Frontispiece_.--_Page 66_] + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + +OR + +Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness + + + +BY + +CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + +AUTHOR OF "THE OUTDOOR CHUMS," +"THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE," ETC. + + + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + + + +NEW YORK +GROSSET & DUNLAP +PUBLISHERS + + + + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + + BY CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE + Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST + Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF + Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness + + _12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price, per volume, 50 cents postpaid._ + + + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + + COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY GROSSET & DUNLAP + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_ + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I GLORIOUS NEWS 1 + II THE MOTORCYCLE THIEVES 14 + III HOMEWARD BOUND BY MOONLIGHT 22 + IV STARTING HANK RIGHT 31 + V WESTWARD BOUND 40 + VI AT THE VALLEY RANCH 49 + VII THE GRIZZLY AT BAY 60 + VIII BLUFF MISSES SOMETHING 67 + IX FRANK HAS HIS TURN 76 + X THE YOUNG HUNTER AND THE ELK 87 + XI THE ELK AND THE YOUNG HUNTER 96 + XII HARD LUCK 105 + XIII AN INVADER IN CAMP 116 + XIV THE COWBOY GUIDE 125 + XV IN THE RAPIDS 134 + XVI THE NEW CAMP 143 + XVII AT THE CAMPFIRE OF THE CREES 153 + XVIII AN INVITATION TO COME OUT 162 + XIX A STRANGE DISCLOSURE 173 + XX "WE MUST CUT AND RUN FOR IT!" 182 + XXI NEVER GIVE UP 191 + XXII THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS 198 + XXIII THE STAMPEDE 206 + XXIV A MYSTERY SOLVED 215 + XXV HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION 225 + + + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + + + + +CHAPTER I + +GLORIOUS NEWS + + +"Hello, there, _Red Rover_! Come alongside!" + +"What's the row, fellows? This dandy breeze is too good to be wasted +loafing." + +"Frank's coming in the _Jupiter_, and coming like a streak!" + +"Yes, and more than that, Bluff, he waves his hat as though he had great +news!" + +Will Milton and Jerry Wallington sat in the double canoe, that with +flapping sails pointed its stem into the wind; while their chum, Richard +Masters, known among all his schoolmates as Bluff, manipulated the +dainty fifteen-foot cedar craft in which he had been speeding over the +surface of Camalot Lake. + +Another midget boat, constructed on the same lines as that in which +Bluff was seated, came flying down before the wind, and presently +brought up alongside the other craft. + +It contained a single young fellow, upon whose frank and open face +rested a broad smile that seemed to prophesy pleasing news. + +"What makes you look so happy, Frank? Evidently you've heard that your +examination papers were up to the standard, and it's college next year +for yours," remarked Bluff with eagerness, and, it must be confessed, a +tinge of envy in his quivering voice. + +"Right for you! But that is only the beginning of my news!" cried Frank +Langdon as he reached out and caught Jerry by the arm. + +"Am I in it?" demanded that worthy, seeming to catch his breath. + +"Well, I should say you were, and with even better honors than poor me. +Now, the rest of you fellows, don't look that way. It's all right, I +tell you," went on the bearer of news, trying to control his own voice, +but succeeding only a little better than Jerry. + +"Say! do you mean it? Did Bluff and I get through, after all?" exclaimed +Will. + +Frank nodded his head enthusiastically. + +"Careful, now, you wild Indians! Just remember that you're in canoes +that can be upset easily, and unless you want a ducking out in the +middle of the lake, restrain your enthusiasm a bit, please. It isn't the +easiest thing in the world, climbing over the stern of a canoe with all +your clothes on," he warned them. + +"But is it really true?" pleaded Will. "Have I crawled through decently? +Well, I'm glad; not only because it will keep four chums together a +while longer, in college, but my mother has set her heart on this thing. +Yes, I'm mighty well pleased." + +Will's mother was a rich widow, and as he had only a twin sister, +Violet, for whom Frank entertained a pronounced liking, the two were +more than ordinarily dear to Mrs. Milton. + +"Well, fellows, let's give one mighty cheer because of our good +fortune," said Jerry, his face beaming with delight; for the chums were +very fond of each other, and had a single one been left behind on the +following year, when the college term opened, there would have been many +a keen regret. + +"Hip, hip, hurrah! Hurrah! hurrah! Tiger!" + +No doubt, many persons ashore, who heard that lusty shout come ringing +over the clear water of the beautiful little lake on which the town of +Centerville was located, wondered what the burst of enthusiasm meant. + +But then they knew these four boys were built along the right lines, +and that while they loved the whole outdoors, with its attendant +exciting times, never had they been known to indulge in mean pranks. + +After the cheer had died away there was a shaking of hands all around. + +"Fellows, it begins to look as though our great trip to the Gulf of +Mexico last winter might not be our last grand outing, after all. You +know what our parents promised us if we went through all right?" + +"Hear! hear! Frank has the floor!" cried Jerry. + +"We were to have our choice of an extended tour through Yellowstone Park +to California, and return by way of the Canadian Rockies; or a grand +hunt in the wilderness, wherever we chose to take it. That was the idea, +wasn't it?" went on the happy occupant of the _Jupiter_. + +"Talk to me about your personally conducted tours all you please, +nothing appeals to me like a real old hunt in the Great West," said +Jerry ecstatically. "Haven't I just longed for a chance to look at a big +elk in his native wilds, for years? And the thought of a grizzly bear +sends a thrill of pleasure through me." + +"And as for me, haven't I lain awake nights without number thinking +about what bliss it would be to actually snap off a few pictures of +those same animals right where they live? How tame to go to a menagerie +and get a photo of a poor old bear behind the bars, when a fellow has a +chance to take him in the open!" + +Of course it was Will who made this remark. He was the official +photographer of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, as our four boy friends +called themselves, and his ambition to secure striking scenes, with wild +game in the center of the stage, had already led him into quite a few +scrapes, just as it would again when the opportunity presented itself. + +"But what I have told you isn't quite all," remarked Frank presently, +when the chatter of voices allowed him a chance to get in a few words +edgewise. + +"What else have you got up your sleeve?" demanded Bluff. + +"Yes, confess everything, and perhaps we'll forgive you," came from +Will. + +"Well, I've had a letter." And Frank held something up. + +"From that old side partner of Jesse Wilcox, the trapper whose camp we +used to visit during our fall hunt?" cried Jerry. + +Frank nodded his head. + +"And what does he say? Hurry up, and tell. Can't you see that Bluff, +here, will be overboard? He's leaning so far over the side that the +water is ready to pour in over the gunwale. Will Martin Mabie take us +out?" asked Jerry. + +"He says he will be glad to do so, for old friendship's sake. I'm to +wire when to expect us, and leave the rest to him," Frank explained. + +"I hope he has told you what we are to fetch along. We've done some +hunting, fellows, in our time, but that sort of thing, with big game in +prospect, calls for heavier gear. None of your repeating shotguns need +apply this trip, Bluff, you understand?" + +Jerry could never become wholly reconciled to the modern gun Bluff +owned. He professed to be such a clean sportsman that he always believed +in giving the game a chance, and declared it to be next door to murder +to have six shots in hand when hunting birds. With big game, it was all +right, because then a fellow's life might often be in danger. + +"Oh, Martin Mabie has written quite a long letter. He seems to be an +educated man, and not at all the brand we figured out from hearing Jesse +talk about him. Boys, we can now lay our plans, and make a start inside +of a week," declared Frank. + +"Isn't it just great? Did ever a set of grads get such a chance for fun +as this?" + +"I don't believe they ever did, or ever will, Bluff. And our folks have +been mighty good to give us this glorious opportunity to enjoy an outing +such as we've hankered after for a year, remember that, fellows," +remarked Frank seriously. + +"You can just wager that I make it a point to let the pater know my +sentiments. He's the best dad going, and I mean to make him proud of me +some day. But tell us more about it, Frank. Where is Martin Mabie to +meet us, and what does he tell us to fetch along?" + +"I'm not going to say another word, Jerry, until we get to the +clubhouse, when every one of you can have a chance to read his letter," +remarked Frank as he prepared to cast off and throw his sails to the +breeze again. + +"A week, did you say? Oh! what a long time to wait!" groaned Bluff. + +"Still, there are lots of things to be done. I think it may be necessary +for one of us to run down to the city to lay in some things in the way +of ammunition, and a few articles of clothing for mountain wear." + +"Then we'll appoint you as a committee of one to see to such traps, +Frank," called Jerry as the other shot away with the wind, his canoe +gliding over the little wavelets like a phantom craft. + +Frank smiled. It was certainly nice to know that his chums felt such +sincere confidence in him at all times. There was nothing he would not +do to give them pleasure. + +So the three cedar boats were soon heading for the clubhouse, and while +they are thus employed it might be well for us to understand just who +these chums were, and what they had been doing in the past to make them +such firm friends. + +Frank was from Maine, but his father, a banker, had come to Centerville +a few years back; and among all the boys attending the Academy Frank had +soon picked out as his especial friends these three, Will Milton, Jerry +Wallingford and Bluff Masters. + +After the Rod, Gun and Camera Club had been formed they had taken their +first outing, using their motorcycles to reach the woods beyond the head +of the lake. What befell them on this occasion has been told in the +first volume of this series, called "The Outdoor Chums; or, The First +Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club." + +Later on, a storm having done considerable damage at the school, they +were given an unexpected fall vacation, and the chums decided to spend +it on Wildcat Island, situated at the foot of the lake. There were +several strange things connected with this island, such as a mysterious +wild man who had been seen there; and besides, it was shunned because of +the fierce bobcats that had possession. How our boys camped on this +island, and what wonderful adventures they met with there, can be +learned by reading the second volume, entitled "The Outdoor Chums on the +Lake; or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island." + +When the Easter holidays came around they had laid out another charming +campaign. This was nothing more nor less than an expedition to Oak +Ridge, that lay some ten miles back from the lake, amid the Sunset +Mountains. Report had it that there was a real ghost to be seen there, +and the boys were bent on discovering the truth of this weird story. It +can be easily understood that they must have had a glorious time on that +trip, viewed from the standpoint of an eager, adventure-loving boy. But +the story is set down in full in the third volume, and you can read it +for yourselves in "The Outdoor Chums in the Forest; or, Laying the Ghost +of Oak Ridge." + +No further long jaunts came the way of the quartet during the school +term, up to the Christmas holidays, when they received permission to +undertake a trip to the Sunny South. Just how this came about, and what +wonders they saw and experienced on a Florida river, as well as upon +the great Mexican Gulf, have been told in the fourth book of the series, +called "The Outdoor Chums on the Gulf; or, Rescuing the Lost +Balloonists." + +And now it seemed as though, less than six months later, they were ready +to embark on what promised to be the most exciting trip of all, a visit +to the wilderness of the great Northwest, in search of big game. + +Reaching the clubhouse, they quickly stowed their boats away. From this +time on there would probably be scant time for aquatic sports. The +tremendous undertaking they had in view would, very likely, occupy all +their spare moments. + +"Now let's have that letter, Frank. We want to con it so that every word +will be photographed on our brains from this time on. Didn't old Jesse +say that Martin Mabie was a big stockman now, and had really quit being +a guide and hunter? Then it's mighty kind of him to undertake to convoy +a raft of tenderfeet into the wilderness. Money didn't enter into it, +that's sure," said Bluff. + +"He mentions having had a long letter from Jesse," remarked Frank. + +"That settles it, then. Our good old friend has been telling him +everything we ever did, and got him interested. We must make it a point +to run up and see Jesse before we go, and thank him." + +"You're right about that, Jerry," said Frank warmly. "I was thinking the +same, myself. But here's the letter. Read it for yourselves." + +Various were the comments after this had been done. + +"Talk to me about your good fellows! That Martin Mabie stands in a class +of his own," observed Jerry. "Think of him offering to take us into the +mountains for weeks, and see that we have the time of our lives! And he +warns us not to mention the word money to him unless we want to break up +the game. I sure am anxious to shake hands with that same friend of old +Jesse." + +"I move we start up there right now and see Jesse. The day is fine, and +when can we spare the time better?" suggested Will, who secretly wanted +just another chance to try a snapshot of the queer cabin which the +trapper occupied. + +"Second the motion!" cried Bluff eagerly. + +"I'm some cramped, myself, from sitting so long in that canoe. Perhaps a +run on our motorcycles might give me relief. So I say go," came from +Jerry. + +Frank himself believed it would be a good idea. He knew that once they +started making preparations for their Western trip nothing was apt to +tear them away. + +"All right, boys. It's going to be a full moon to-night. Suppose we stop +over and have a parting supper with Jesse? He'd be dreadfully tickled at +the notion. Tell your folks at home, and meet me at the Forks in not +more than half an hour." + +Frank hustled the others out of the boathouse, locked the door, and then +the four chums hastened to their various homes. + +Ere the half hour was up they came together at the forks of the road, +just out of Centerville. Frank was first on hand, as usual, but even +laggard Will showed up on time, camera and all. + +In single file, and with a little space separating them, they started +off, the motors soon popping merrily as the boys entered into the spirit +of the occasion. + +The air was fresh as they sped along the dusty road. The leader was ever +ready to signal a slow-down in case they met a farmer with a load of +hay, going to market, or any other vehicle. This was rendered necessary +because the cloud of dust might blind the eyes of those who came after, +and a collision be the result. + +In this fashion they arrived at the lumber camp, which was deserted at +this time of year. From there on the pace had to be slowed down, for the +road was only used by logging teams, and hardly suitable for +motorcycles. + +They were plugging along, each keeping his eyes open for obstacles apt +to present themselves, such as roots cropping up above the surface, when +the leader gave a sudden toot upon the little horn attached to his +machine that warned the others a stop was imperative. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MOTORCYCLE THIEVES + + +"What's gone wrong, Frank?" demanded Bluff, dropping off his seat. + +"In luck again, for I'd have banged up against that big root if Frank +hadn't given the signal just then," chuckled Will, holding up his +machine. + +"A puncture, Frank?" demanded Jerry, who had been in the rear. + +"Not at all. I thought I heard some one shouting. Perhaps I was +mistaken, for with a lot of motors popping away it's hard to be sure. +Still, we can stop for a minute and listen," remarked Frank seriously. + +"Shouting--for help?" repeated Will, looking around nervously. + +"That's queer," cried Bluff, "that we seldom go out anywhere but what +somebody calls on us for assistance. Think of it! There was the town +bully, Andy Lasher, who was caught under that falling tree in the storm, +and rescued by Jerry." + +"That's a fact; and then there was Jed, the bound boy, you remember, +fellows," went on Will eagerly. + +"Not to mention the saving of the aeronaut from the burning hotel by +Frank, here; and last, but not least, our giving that little Joe the +glad hand down South," observed Jerry, joining in with enthusiasm. + +"Yes, but there are a few rescues you seem to forget, Jerry. How about +that time when the wild dogs had you chasing around the tree?" asked +Bluff, grinning. + +"Oh, that isn't in the same class. You forget that I got out of that +scrape by my own exertions," replied the other. + +"But there was another time when we hauled you out of a hollow tree in +which you found yourself caged. You didn't crawl out of there alone and +unaided, if I remember right," persisted Will. + +"Some things are better buried in oblivion. You and your camera want to +remind a fellow constantly of events that ought to be forgotten. But +Frank, that must have been an owl you heard. I haven't caught any call +for help yet." + +"Perhaps we'd better go on, then. Look out how you mount here, for it's +a hard proposition, Jerry, with these roots and stones." + +Frank had just started to move forward with his own motorcycle, when +all of them heard a sound issuing from the woods alongside the "tote" +road. + +"Help! help!" + +They looked at each other. + +"Somebody's in trouble there. Who can it be?" said Frank as he leaned +his machine up against a tree, as though eager to hasten to the +assistance of the one who had cried out. + +"No hunters around at this time of year," remarked Will as he followed +suit. + +"And the loggers have been gone some months," went on Bluff. + +"Tell me about that, now! It wasn't a child's voice, or I might think a +kid had got lost up here. Perhaps some man has cut himself badly with +his ax," suggested Jerry. + +"Or dropped down into some old abandoned mine shaft," spoke up Frank, +with a wink toward Will; for one of the chums had gone through with just +such an experience during one of their outings, and had to be rescued. + +"Shall we all go?" demanded Bluff, given to caution. + +"Why not? Nothing can happen to our machines here. For one, I decline to +stay out of the rescuing party. Besides, perhaps I may get a chance to +snap off a lovely picture of the Good Samaritans at work." + +Will had hastily unfastened his camera, and held it in his hands as he +spoke. + +"All right, then. Come on, boys!" + +With these words, Frank led the way into the woods. + +"Sure the sound came from this direction?" asked Bluff. + +"That was my impression. What do you say, Jerry?" and Frank turned to +the chum on whose knowledge of woodcraft he felt he could rely. + +"Straight in there. You're heading all right, Frank," he replied. + +"How far did it seem to be?" went on the leader. + +"That is hard to say. The man may have been weakened from loss of blood. +If he was shouting, then it may have been several hundred yards, perhaps +a quarter of a mile off; but I think we'll come across him closer than +that." + +"I agree with you, Jerry," said Frank, stopping short. + +"What did you hear?" demanded the other, for Frank had bent his head, +and seemed to be listening over his shoulder. + +"I don't know. Perhaps it was a bush springing back into place after our +passage. But suppose we shout occasionally? It may encourage the poor +fellow, and besides, guide us to where he lies," returned Frank, once +more pushing on. + +Accordingly they lifted up their voices and gave a series of calls. + +"Why doesn't he answer us?" asked Will, astonished when only the echoes +came back from the surrounding forest. + +Frank stopped in his tracks. + +"Can he have fainted from loss of blood?" said Bluff, still having in +mind a picture of a woodsman who had severed an artery by a misblow of +his ax. + +"There's Frank listening again, and he seems to be paying more attention +to our rear than ahead," remarked Will, puzzled. + +"I bet you he thinks somebody is playing us for a lot of fools; that +there isn't any one hurt, or in need of help at all. What's that?" + +The distinct and well-known "popping" of a motor was heard. + +"It's a trick, fellows! Somebody is meddling with our machines! Back to +the road!" shouted Jerry, turning and plunging through the under-brush +recklessly. + +A wild scramble followed. The four chums were so excited, and filled +with a determination to stop the unknown miscreants from making way +with their machines, that they gave little heed to their steps. The +consequence was that more than once a collision with a tree ensued, and +various bumps afterward gave mute evidence as to the reckless manner of +their chase. + +"There's two of 'em!" shrieked Will from the rear, as he caught the +sound of a second series of erratic poppings. + +Evidently those who were meddling with the motorcycles did not have a +thorough knowledge of how to work the same, for the sounds would +suddenly cease and then start up again. + +"Oh! don't I wish they'd just take headers over some nice fat root!" +gasped the perspiring Will, still hugging his precious camera to his +heart as he followed in Frank's wake. + +The latter had made for the road in as direct a line as possible. +Progress was bound to be slow through the dense undergrowth, and the +sooner they struck the open the quicker they could hope to gain on the +thieves. + +In this fashion they came upon the road at last. Of course, their eyes +immediately turned down its sinuous way to the quarter whence the +excitable popping sounds still continued to come. + +The sight that met their eyes amazed them. All of the chums had +naturally expected that they would discover some mischievous school +companions, who, seeing them coming, had hatched up this little game +with the intention of playing a practical joke. + +Nothing of the kind. On the contrary, they saw two of the motorcycles +bobbing along in the most erratic manner possible, moving from one side +of the rough road to the other, and mounted on the same were a couple of +roughly dressed men, either tramps, or journeymen on the road looking +for a job. + +"Tell me about that, will you!" gasped Jerry. + +"Why, the blooming idiots mean to steal our machines!" cried Bluff. + +"Oh! what luck that I thought to take my camera with me!" came from +Will. + +Frank only made one remark, but it was characteristic of the boy: + +"After them, fellows!" + +Then began a mad chase. Had the road been half-way decent, the boys +would have had no chance of overtaking the thieves; but those exposed +roots, while not bothersome to the lumbermen, proved extremely so to the +men who were trying to make off with the motorcycles. + +They dared not put on great speed. More than this, much of their time +was taken up with dodging the stones and other things that threatened to +bring sudden disaster upon them. + +Hence it was that the boys, having considerable sprinting ability, +began to rapidly overhaul the fleeing rascals. The two men dared not +cast a single glance behind, and consequently the only means they had of +knowing how close their pursuers might be would lie in any shouts given +by Frank and his chums. + +As he ran, the leading boy cast an occasional look alongside the path. +He was in search of a good stout cudgel. Knowing that the chances were +the affair would presently come to a face-to-face issue between the two +parties, he wished to be prepared as well as possible. + +"Bully stunt!" exclaimed Jerry as he followed suit. + +They were now drawing close upon the fugitives, who were having a +nerve-racking time dodging those numerous roots. + +Knowing that the angry owners of the wheels must be close upon them, the +men endeavored to increase their speed, with disastrous results. + +"Wow!" shouted Jerry, as he saw one of the riders suddenly shoot out of +his saddle and take a header, to be followed by his companion a second +later. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOMEWARD BOUND, BY MOONLIGHT + + +"Jump 'em!" shouted Frank as he threw himself upon the first fellow, +floundering in the road. + +"I'm on!" echoed Jerry, suiting the action to the words by propelling +himself straight at the second motorcycle thief. + +This fellow happened to have come through his fall without getting hurt. +The consequence was, he felt disposed to put up a much better fight than +his confused companion, upon whose prostrate form Frank had straddled. + +He rolled over once or twice with remarkable agility, causing Jerry to +miss his guess when he thought to drop on him. Then, scrambling to his +knees, the man, who turned out to be a rough-looking chap, indeed, +pulled something out of his pocket, which he aimed at the two boys about +to pounce upon him. + +"Keep back, you!" he roared, his mouth being half filled with dirt after +he had plowed up the earth of the roadway with his face. + +"He's got a pistol!" shrieked Will, who was fingering his camera +nervously from a point somewhat in the rear; and they immediately heard +the little suggestive click that announced the pressure of a finger on +the trigger. + +Bluff was the quick-witted one on this occasion. He had his stick +upraised at the time, ready to strike. Instead, he sent it from him +suddenly with all his power, and as the cudgel was no light one, when it +struck the extended arm of the kneeling thief the shock was so great +that the shining object he had been gripping was hurled about five feet +away. + +Jerry instantly took occasion to possess himself of the same. The man +was nursing his wounded arm and muttering to himself, his face screwed +up with pain. + +"Talk to me about your quick work! What could beat that, fellows?" cried +Jerry as he stood over the grunting and disgusted rascal who had +attempted to hold them off. + +"What had we better do with 'em?" asked Bluff, frowning at the several +scratches upon his machine caused by the accident. + +"Any damage done?" asked Frank. + +"Well, this man here has a sore arm, I guess; and the one you're sitting +on looks as if his face might be a map, from the scratches," replied +Jerry. + +"Oh! I mean the machines," laughed Frank. + +"Nothing serious here. How about yours, Will?" answered Bluff. + +"Mine seems to be all right. They weren't going fast enough to cause a +real wreck. A little paint will fix it up," was the answer Will made. + +"Do you know either of these fellows?" went on Frank. + +The boys took a better look at the men. + +"Why, the one with the scratched face is Hank Brady, I'm sure. He used +to live in Centerville. The other is a stranger to me," remarked Bluff. + +"Well, I've seen him before. He was working in the office of the town +paper as a tramp compositor a week ago. I suppose he got uneasy, and +wanted to be on the move again, and seeing a fine chance for hooking a +couple of motorcycles, they yielded to temptation. If we took them back +they'd be locked up for this little job," observed Frank sternly. + +"I hope you won't do anything of the kind, kids," said the fellow whose +arm had been stung by Bluff's stick. "We only wanted to have a lark with +you. Sure you don't think we'd be fools enough to run away with such +valuable things as them motorcycles, when the telephone would get us at +the next town? It was done for fun, but I reckon we paid the piper, all +right," and he scowled at Bluff as he spoke, nursing his arm as though +it were still painful. + +Frank laughed. He was not of a vindictive nature. Besides, it did seem +as though the two fellows had been punished enough already. + +"No matter, it was a mean trick, and you deserve all you got. Get up, +Hank. You took a lovely cropper that time. Where did you learn how to +run a motorcycle?" he asked, helping the prisoner to his feet. + +"I was a chauffeur a little time back. Sure we never thought to run off +with the gas-wheels. Saw you comin' along, and Flimsy said it would be a +good joke to make you fellers think somebody was sick in the woods. +Then, when we seen you all go by, I said to him, 'Let's run a couple of +them machines down the road a bit, just to tease the boys.' Flimsy he +rode one once in his travels, and so we jumped on. The rest is history, +and I got the map that goes along with it, on me face." + +"What say, boys? Shall we let it pass?" asked Frank, winking at his +chums. + +Jerry, for reply, started to fire the revolver he held, until the +entire six shots had been discharged. + +"Here! Take your gun, mister, and next time don't be so quick to pull it +on a stranger. Think what would happen to you if you'd fired and hit one +of us? Some time you may even be glad that Bluff, here, was so quick +with his stick." + +He handed the empty weapon over to the tramp printer, who let his head +fall, as though really ashamed of his action. + +The boys started back to where the other machines had been left, while +the two men slunk into the shelter of the woods, to patch up their hurts +as best they might. + +"Say! that was a queer ending to a rescue, wasn't it?" asked Bluff. + +"I only hope my picture comes out all right. It ought to show Frank +sitting on top of Hank, while Bluff and Jerry surround the other tramp, +who is on his knees, aiming his old gun. Then my machine is lying there. +Fellows, what need of words to explain what happened?" chuckled the +gratified Will. + +Whenever he succeeded in securing a coveted picture the ardent +photographer was the happiest boy in the county. His pleasure caused him +to fairly bubble over with good nature. + +"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, pretending to scorn such an +exhibition of joy over so trivial a matter. "Why, you'd think the chap +had knocked over some big game, to hear him chatter." + +"And so he had," declared Frank quickly, "according to his light. All of +us are not made alike, Jerry. One man's food is poison to another. You +and I are fond of fishing and shooting, but Will is more of an artist. +He delights in stalking the timid deer in the close season, and shooting +him with his camera. Lots of people believe his way of securing pleasure +beats ours all hollow." + +"Anyhow, it doesn't thin out the game," asserted Will stoutly. + +Jerry stopped short to turn a look of pity on his comrade. + +"Think how hungry we'd all go out in camp if we depended on your blessed +old box for supper," he suggested witheringly. + +"All very true," remarked Frank as they reached the other motorcycles, +and prepared to continue their interrupted journey to the camp of the +trapper; "which is proof of what I say, that many men, many minds. +There's room for all kinds in a party." + +"Yes; and nobody likes to look over my prints more than Jerry," grumbled +Will, feeling quite offended. + +"Don't pay any attention to him. He doesn't mean anything by it. You +know how he likes to joke every one. Now, we're off again, boys." + +Once more they made their way along the rough road. The sight of those +two unfortunates sprawling upon the ground was a lesson, warning the +riders against trying for speed under such conditions, so they made +haste slowly. + +Upon arriving at the cabin home of the trapper they surprised him very +much; and when Jesse Wilcox learned the object of their visit he was +more pleased than ever. + +They spent some hours with him, and even assisted in getting the evening +meal. From their long experience now the boys had become quite +proficient in this line, and were able to show old Jesse quite a few +tricks that delighted him. + +With the campfire blazing merrily, they ate supper alongside his rough +cabin home. Of course, they fairly deluged him with questions about the +habits of the big game of the West, which he answered to the best of his +ability. + +"Wait till we get out with Martin Mabie, fellows. He's on the ground, +and can set us straight. Jesse has been trapping these little animals +around here so long now he's a back number," joked Jerry, at which the +trapper laughed, for he was very fond of these four lads, and nothing +they said annoyed him. + +As they had planned, the run home was made by moonlight. This +necessitated that they walk with their machines until the good road was +gained, below the lumber camp. + +"I wonder whether those two tramps hit the high places, and got out of +this neighborhood for keeps?" Bluff was saying, after they had mounted +and were bowling along merrily toward town. + +"The chances are that way. That tramp printer must be a bad sort of +chap, it seems to me, and if Hank keeps along in his society I can see +his finish," answered Jerry over his shoulder. + +They had not made more than a mile when once more Frank gave a quick +toot of his horn that brought the little procession up in a hurry. + +"What ails us now?" demanded Bluff. + +"Frank's bending over something in the road, as sure as you live!" +called Will. + +"Tell me about that, will you! Seems as if our lively times haven't +stopped yet. It never rains but it pours, fellows. Hi! Frank, what's the +matter? Say! Would you believe it? There's a man lying in the road!" + +Jerry made haste to push his heavy motorcycle forward so as to reach the +side of his kneeling chum. + +"It's Hank Brady, boys, and he seems to be in a bad way. Something has +happened to him since we saw him last," said Frank, looking up. + +"Goodness gracious! Is he dead?" gasped Will, his eyes dilating in +horror. + +"I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out," replied Frank, bending +over so that he could press his ear upon the breast of the man in the +road. + +"And that tramp printer, where's he at?" asked Jerry suggestively. "Tell +me that, will you?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +STARTING HANK RIGHT + + +"He's alive, all right!" was the announcement of Frank presently. + +"I hear water close by. Hold on, and I'll get some," said Will hurrying +away. + +Even Jerry was desirous of helping as best he could. He took hold with +Frank, and the insensible Hank was carried alongside the road, to where +some grass grew, and offered a softer resting place. + +Had it been a friend who was thus in need of succor, they could hardly +have shown more energy in attending to his wants. + +"He's coming to," said Bluff after Frank had sprinkled the scratched +face with some of the cold water. + +There was a deep sigh, then Frank saw that the fellow's eyes had opened, +and were surveying him with a troubled stare. + +"Feeling better, Hank?" he asked quietly. + +"Oh, I'm all right, I reckon. What brought you fellows here? Where am +I, anyhow? Did I just drop off that motorcycle? No. I remember, now. +Flimsy took the last cent I had while I lay in the road. The meanest +skunk I ever met up with. If ever he crosses my path again I'll get even +with the cur," he growled, sitting up and holding a hand to his head. + +"What happened to you, Hank? Why were you lying in the road? Did you +have a fight with that tramp printer?" asked Frank, suspecting the +truth. + +"Yes. I told him I was sick of keeping with him. He's a bad one, and +some fine day he'll land in the stone jug. He scared me the way he +talked. I started to tramp back home, and he kept nagging me all the way +here. In the end he made me so mad I just tackled him. That was what he +wanted. Why, he put me to sleep the easiest way you ever saw. I just +remember him fumbling in my pockets before he hoofed it." + +"Well, it was a lucky thing for you, Hank, after all. If you'd kept with +that rascal you'd soon have been just like him. Did you say you meant to +go back home now?" + +"That's what I meant to do, but he's fixed it so I can't," muttered the +other, grinding his teeth in fury. + +"How's that?" pursued Frank, believing there must be a story back of +his words. + +"He took the ten dollars I stole from my dad. I won't never dare face +him and say I lost it. I thought I could put it back in the bureau +drawer, and he'd never know. I'll have to foller that Flimsy, and make +him give it back." + +"You can't do that for he'd only laugh at you, and perhaps beat you +again." + +"The thief ought to be arrested," grumbled Bluff indignantly. + +"That would blow the whole thing, you see, and dad he'd know I grabbed +it. I'm gettin' all I ought to have, I reckon. P'raps I might earn that +ten some way, and hand it over. If I could only get another job as +chauffeur it'd be all right," Hank Brady was mumbling to himself +dejectedly. + +"Perhaps you can," said Frank quickly. "I remember, now, that our man +had to go away suddenly the day before yesterday. Look here, Hank! Do +you really mean to do the right thing now? Have you had your lesson +pounded into you?" + +"I sure have. Never again for me, I give you my word. I guess my folks +has been worried some on my account, but they don't need to any more. +I've reformed, I have. I'm goin' to walk a straight line after this." + +The fellow spoke as though he meant it, and Frank believed he could +detect the ring of sincerity in his voice. + +"All right. Shake hands on that, Hank. Don't you forget it, that you'll +find plenty of fellows willing to give you a lift, just as quickly as +some others want to give you a drag down. It all depends on where the +other chap is standing himself. You come and see me to-morrow, some +time. I'm Frank Langdon, and my father is the president of the First +National Bank." + +"This is mighty white of you, fellers," muttered the other, apparently +ashamed. + +"You can never pay it back to us, Hank, but some time pass it along; +hold out a helping hand to some other poor chap in trouble. I guess if +you know how to run a car decently you will get the job, if I speak to +my dad. Now, another thing--that ten dollars you wanted to put back, was +it in one bill?" + +"Two fives," replied Hank, catching his breath. + +"Then perhaps we can fix it up. I've got one here. Jerry, can you help +me out?" asked Frank, who believed in doing the whole thing, once he +started. + +"Just happen to have it, by good luck," replied the other cheerfully. + +"Say! that's too much, fellers--an' after I played that mean trick, +too!" + +"Don't worry about that. I'm not giving you this, Hank, only loaning it +to you. You can pay it back out of your first month's salary. Here you +are, and don't think for a minute that you're getting the best of all +this. We're enjoying it, in our own way, more than you ever can. See you +to-morrow, then. Good-night, Hank!" + +They left the fellow standing there, quite dumb. He had tried to answer +them as they rode off, but not a sound could he utter. + +"Talk to me about the queer things that crop up with us, will you!" +laughed Jerry as he kept close at Frank's heels. "Did you ever really +hear the equal of that, now?" + +"Oh, it's an old story. The only decent thing about it is the fact that +of his own free will Hank was breaking away from his evil associations +and heading back home, when he met with this last trouble. I say, +Bluff!" + +"Hello, Frank! What is it?" came from the rear, where the party +addressed was following in the wake of his chums. + +"How about Hank? Do you know if he ever played chauffeur half-way +decent? I'd hate to risk the pater's neck with a greenhorn." + +"Come to think of it, he used to run old Cragin's car for quite some +time. Had an accident, and was discharged; but some people said Hank +wasn't to blame; that it came about because the old man was too stingy +to buy the right kind of tires, and always picked up job lots." + +"Glad to hear it. He won't have that fault to find with the governor. +Well, here we separate, fellows. To-morrow morning, at the boathouse, +about eight, to lay our plans and arrange for the trip to the city." + +With a cheery good-night the chums separated, and each headed for his +home. + +In the morning they once more came together, and for some hours there +was an earnest talk, during which many ideas were put forward, and order +gradually took the place of chaos. + +A knock at the door took Frank thither, for he suspected who the visitor +might prove to be, as he had left word at home to send Hank Brady there, +if he called. Hank was now decently dressed, and his face did not look +so very bad, though it bore a number of scratches. + +"All right, Hank. I'm going with you to the bank. My father knows all +about it, for I thought it best to start square, so that you need not +fear about his finding out anything about your past," he said, shaking +hands with the other. + +"And he don't give me the shake on that account?" asked Hank eagerly. + +"Of course he doesn't. He even said that what we did was right, and that +he could look back to a day in his boyhood when a kind word started him +along the straight and narrow path. My dad's the right sort, Hank. Serve +him decently, and you'll never want a better friend. But at the same +time he hates deceit, and will not put up with a sneak. You've got the +chance of your life to make good." + +"And I'm going to make good, all right, or bust tryin'. I'll never get +over the white way you fellers acted with me, never, if I live a hundred +years!" said Hank in a broken voice. + +Frank took him over to the bank, where Mr. Langdon was favorably +impressed with his looks, and engaged him, after he had learned what he +knew about the running of a car. Hank had worked in a garage for a year, +and this knowledge was invaluable to him in his business as a chauffeur. + +That afternoon Frank and Bluff started for the city, with a list of +things they believed should be purchased before they went forth upon +their journey. Bluff had in mind a wonderful hunting-knife, with an +ivory handle, a picture of which he had seen in the catalogue of a +sporting goods house, and he was secretly determined to possess such a +magnificent tool. + +"The time might come when a fellow would have only his trusty blade +between himself and death, and then you just bet he wants a good one. +Think of a big grizzly trying to hug you! Where would your little knife +be, then? You'd soon wish you had that Cuban machete that hangs on the +wall of your father's den, Frank," he said, when the other expostulated +with him about purchasing such a murderous-looking weapon. + +And Bluff did buy it, too. All the way home he kept tabs on that +package, and often, when Frank was not looking, he would go through +certain gestures with it gripped in his hand, as though practicing +against that day when the aforesaid grizzly and he would have their +little heated argument for supremacy. + +Jerry, too, either felt shocked at the enormous size of the wonderful +hunting-knife, or else pretended to be. He shrugged his shoulders in +that scornful way he had, and turned his back on the prize Bluff had +drawn. + +"What else could you expect of a man who goes after quail with a Gatling +gun? Why, the poor innocent grizzly will faint dead away at sight of +that cavalry sword. It gives me a cold chill just to look at it," he +observed. + +Bluff only laughed. + +"Rank envy eating up your soul, that's all, my boy. Wait till you see me +in action with that razor-edged tool. I'll have you all turning green +with envy yet," he said, fondling the ivory-handled weapon ere he thrust +it back into its sheath. + +The days dragged along. Will counted them, and each night heaved a sigh +of relief that they were a notch nearer the time of departure. Finally +the last night arrived, and their coming tour was to be marked by a +little gathering at the home of Frank, which was intended to be in the +way of a send-off. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WESTWARD BOUND + + +There were just eight people gathered together that evening to have a +good time. Besides Nellie Langdon, of course, Will's twin sister, +Violet, graced the occasion with her presence; then there came Mame +Crosby, the vivacious girl with the auburn locks, who was so fond of +teasing Jerry; and last, but not least, pretty Susie Prescott, a dainty, +prim little blonde, whom Will considered a bundle of sweetness. + +What a splendid time this congenial little company had! For many a day +the memory of it would follow the four chums while far away. + +All of the "material of war," as Mame called it, had been brought to +Frank's house, so that it might be packed in one big trunk. Thus the +boys would be bothered with only a suitcase and a gun apiece in the long +journey across the continent. + +The girls insisted upon being shown the wonderful aggregation of +clothing and weapons. It was to them very much like a shopping +expedition, and many were the exclamations of awe and curiosity as they +looked upon the exhibition. + +Bluff, of course, was very proud of that wonderful hunting-knife of his. +He even smiled to see the perceptible shudder with which Nellie surveyed +him as he cut imaginary circles in the air with the keen-edged weapon. + +"Oh! I hope you won't have to use it very often, Bluff! It makes me +shiver just to think of you meeting one of those fierce grizzly bears, +such as I have seen in the menagerie," she said confidentially to him. + +"But you wouldn't have me leave this jewel at home, would you, Nellie?" +he asked in dismay. + +"Oh, no! Not for the world!--since you say that perhaps your very life +may depend on having it; but please, Bluff, be very careful. You might +cut yourself by accident, you know, and then--well, your mother and +father would grieve so much if anything happened to you." + +"Well, would you care?" asked Bluff boldly. + +Nellie gave him an arch look and ran down-stairs, as she said that she +was needed just then to superintend the placing of the refreshments on +the table. Bluff laid the wonderful hunting-knife, sheath and all, back +on the stand where his things were gathered, and smiled as if pleased. +He had occasion, later on, to recall each little incident of that +evening, when worrying his mind over a most mysterious thing that +puzzled him. + +The little company separated about eleven, for the boys expected to +leave home long ere noon on the following day, and had a strenuous +journey before them. + +After an early breakfast they gathered at Frank's, where the last +packing was done in hot haste, as the time was short. So it happened +that none of them had more than a confused idea of what was done during +that last hour, save that, some way or other, their things were crammed +into the big trunk. + +"We should have taken two, hang it!" grunted Bluff as he tugged at the +metal catches, while a couple of his mates sat on top to induce the lid +to come down. + +"There! It's all right now!" cried Will, as the click of the catch +announced the desired union. + +So the trunk was snatched up by the waiting men and carried off, to be +taken to the station. Frank and his chums quickly followed. Quite a +gathering of relatives and friends were on hand to see them off. + +Frank was taking a last look into the automobile, to make sure nothing +had been forgotten, when Hank Brady, who seemed to be making good with +his job, plucked at his sleeve. + +"Hello! Came near forgetting to say good-by to you, Hank! Hope you get +on fine and dandy while I'm gone," said the boy, holding out his hand. + +"Thank you, Mr. Frank; but I only wanted to say a few words to you about +a brother of mine who is out there somewhere, we believe. Now, I know +the Northwest is a big place, and you might as well think of lookin' for +a needle in a haystack as for a certain feller there; but accidents do +happen, and by some sorter luck you might just happen to run across +Teddy," said Hank quickly, and with a wistful look on his face that held +Frank's attention. + +"And if I do, what then?" he asked softly. + +"Tell him his mother's still a-grievin' after him. You see, he is her +baby, though a big feller for his age, which is seventeen about. He left +us in a huff two years back. We heard in an indirect way several times, +but never straight. She worries when she thinks nobody is a-lookin'. If +Teddy would only write to her I think she'd be kinder reconciled," went +on Hank, heaving a deep sigh. + +"All right. If by any good luck I happen to run across your brother, you +can depend on it I'll do my best to make him write. But how am I to +know him among the thousands of people I meet?" remarked Frank as he was +about to turn away. + +"Well, he has--" + +Just then some one pounced on Frank, and dragged him off, so that he +never really knew how he was to recognize this wandering brother of Hank +Brady in case he should meet him. + +The train was almost due, and general good-bys were quickly said. Such a +chattering as ensued, which kept up until the four chums climbed into +the car that was to take them to the nearest city, where they would +board the through train for the Northwest. + +After the last glimpse of their loved ones had been lost by a sudden +bend in the road, they settled down to making themselves comfortable. It +was expected that they would make connection in St. Paul with the +western through train bound for Seattle. Then would begin the grandest +ride on the whole American continent, over boundless plains, and finally +up into the majestic mountains. + +Day and night they would be carried swiftly onward across the many miles +of entrancing scenery. Wonderful sights would fall to their portion. + +St. Paul was reached in due season, and once more they started forth, +this time headed west, with the hunting-land beckoning them on. + +"Tell me about this, will you!" remarked Jerry, after they had crossed +the broad prairies and were climbing the tremendous heights that lie +like a barrier between the center of the continent and the Pacific +Slope. "How much more of it do we have before us, Frank? I'm getting so +filled with wonder and awe that my tongue is getting into a rut with +saying 'Ah!' so much." + +"Less than a day will see us through now. Once we get over this range +there lies a long valley, and in that is where Martin Mabie has his +ranch." + +"Then we'll do our hunting along the sides of the mountains?" suggested +Will, who had used up nearly half his supply of films already, taking +views of the wonderful things they saw on the trip. + +"That's my impression, from what he wrote," replied Frank. + +"And he also said game was fairly plentiful, if I remember aright," +remarked Jerry. + +"Well, he did say that they had been so busy of late on the ranch that +no one had had time for hunting, and consequently the game had not been +bothered very much; which, I suppose, amounts to the same thing." + +"H'm! I hope he won't be so rushed with work that he can't take the time +to go with us. Half of the fun would be lost if Mr. Mabie couldn't be +along; for Jesse says he is the most entertaining man alive," grunted +Bluff. + +"Oh, you forget that he said by the time we got there the work would +slacken up, and he promised himself a vacation, just to renew his old +pleasure of camping out in the wilderness, away from all mankind," +laughed Frank. + +"That relieves my mind some," declared Bluff, brightening up. + +"You're getting tired of all this travel, that's what ails you," said +Jerry. + +"No; it isn't that," remarked Frank. "Bluff has confessed to me that for +the life of him he can't remember putting that beautiful hunting-knife +in the trunk along with his other traps; and if he left _that_ behind, +half his pleasure would be lost. Now you know what's the matter." + +"Not that I wish it to be so, but if such should prove to be the case, +there'll be one delighted grizzly bear out in these same mountains--the +chap Bluff calculated on carving with that big sticker," remarked Jerry +jocosely. + +But Bluff would not even smile. Truth to tell, he was counting the +hours until he could open that trunk and relieve his distressed mind. + +"Did you ever see a wilder bit of country?" said Frank, peering out into +the gathering dusk, and trying to imagine those wooded hillsides +populated with elk and buffaloes, and all the big game of the past, when +a white man was never known west of the Great Lakes. + +"Well, to tell the truth, I was thinking of that account I read in the +paper we bought, about the work of a sheriff's posse in this region, +chasing the bad men who held up a railroad train not a hundred miles +away from here. It wouldn't be a pleasant experience for us to meet +with, eh, fellows?" asked Will, who was known to have a timid streak in +his make-up. + +"Talk to me about your croakers!" jeered Jerry. "Will, here, is enough +to freeze the marrow in one's bones. There isn't one chance in a +thousand that such an adventure will come our way, and he knows it." + +"Goodness! What a jar! The engineer must have thrown the air brakes on +then in a big hurry! We're coming to a sudden stop, too! Oh! I wonder if +anything can have happened? Are we going to have an accident, fellows?" +cried Will. + +With much creaking of the wheels the heavy train came to a stop, and at +the same moment the four chums, listening with considerable +apprehension, caught the sound of many loud and excited voices just +outside the car. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AT THE VALLEY RANCH + + +"Listen!" exclaimed Frank, holding up his hand. + +"Talk to me about your Tower of Babel! It wasn't in the same class as +that row. Twenty men trying to talk all at once!" growled Jerry, +starting up. + +"Oh! Where are you going?" asked Will. + +"Outside, to find out what the trouble is," replied the other. + +"But you may get hurt if those bad men start to shooting up the train," +expostulated the official photographer anxiously. + +Jerry gave a hoarse laugh. + +"Tell me about that, will you! He actually believes we are going to be +put through a course of 'stand and deliver' by the merry gentlemen of +the road. Why, bless you, my boy, didn't you hear one man say something +about a trestle burning just ahead? It spells delay for us, but that's +the worst of the whole affair." + +"Then I'm going out, too," declared Will, with sudden zeal, as he +snatched up his camera and threw the strap over his shoulder. + +He scented a chance for a striking picture, and to obtain that Will +would have risked even a possible encounter with train robbers. + +Frank and Bluff would not be left behind, and quickly the entire quartet +had reached the platform. They found that the stop was at a little +country station. A signal had suddenly flashed before the eyes of the +engineer, telling him he must not think of running past, which accounted +for the quick work of the compressed-air brakes. + +No need to tell what was wrong. Up the track a quarter of a mile could +be seen a fire, and one glance was enough to tell the chums that, just +as Jerry had said, a trestle of some sort seemed to be burning. + +Loud shouts attested to the fact that every available man was hurrying +to the scene, in the hope of saving the trestle before it was so far +gone that nothing could be done. + +"Come on, fellows! Our train must stay where it is until this thing is +done burning, one way or the other. Perhaps we can help put the fire out +with buckets." + +That was the first thought Frank had, to be of some assistance. + +The four of them ran with the rest of the passengers. Such a spectacle +could not be witnessed every day, and every one was desirous of getting +closer to the scene of action. + +"How did it catch?" asked Frank of a railroad man who was hustling +about, handing buckets to a line of men extending down to the water of +the creek far below. + +"Don't know. Perhaps from sparks left by the six-seventeen freight. Lend +a hand here, lads; we need all the help we can get," replied the other. + +"Sure! That's what we came for. Get along, boys, and pass these +buckets!" cried Jerry, suiting the action to the words. + +Once the string of buckets got to going, and the contents began to be +cast upon the creeping flames, there sprang up a hope that the trestle +might be saved. + +Seeing this, the workers redoubled their efforts, and faster rose the +full buckets, the empties going down at the same rate. It is really +astonishing what a large amount of water can be carried by such an +endless chain. + +"Hurrah! We're besting it, lads! Keep it up!" shouted the agent, who +was the man Frank had first addressed. + +Will had not joined the relay. There seemed to be plenty of recruits +without him, and, truth to tell, he was bent on getting a picture of the +scene. Doubtless many present were startled by a sudden brilliant +illumination as he set off his flashlight cartridge; but those who were +in ignorance as to what it meant were soon set wise by others. + +Once they began to get the upper hand of the fire it became easy. +Fortunately, there was not a breath of wind at the time. Had it been +otherwise, no efforts on their part could have saved the trestle. + +"I should think they would have them all of steel!" gasped Bluff, as he +labored away, passing endless buckets up and down. + +"Most of them are, I understand, but in this case, you see, it is a long +stretch, and perhaps it wasn't thought necessary," replied Frank. + +"We're going to save it, all right; but I wonder if our train dare pass +over? It seems to me the fire must have weakened the structure more or +less," remarked Jerry. + +"Oh, well, they'll find some means of strengthening it in that case. I'm +only worrying about the delay. Mr. Mabie will have to wait so long." + +"But, Frank, they must wire the news, and he will know the reason for +our hold-up," said Will quickly, and the others all agreed that this +must be so. + +Less than an hour later the last spark had been extinguished. Then men +climbed all over the trestle to ascertain just how much it had been +weakened by the fire. + +There was a difference of opinion among them, some declaring that it was +as good as ever, and the others shaking their heads solemnly, as they +prophesied all manner of dire things if the through train, with its +heavy sleepers, attempted to go over. + +While some gangs of men were hastily bracing up a weak spot with what +material lay close at hand, kept for an emergency of this sort, a +freight train that happened to be on a siding at the station, was pushed +out on the trestle to discover how the situation stood. + +The chums watched operations with their hearts in their mouths, +figuratively speaking; but no catastrophe followed, and it began to +appear that, after all, the express might pass over in safety. + +Another trial was given, this time with the heavy freight engine +attached to some of the largest flats, laden with steel beams. The +trestle bore the strain handsomely. + +"That settles it, fellows. Back to our car for us. We're going across!" +sang out Jerry as he turned and made off down the track. + +"How long were we here?" asked Bluff, sighing, and they knew he was +thinking again of the weary hours that must elapse ere he could open +that big trunk in order to ascertain whether his fears in connection +with that beloved hunting-knife had any foundation or not. + +"Three hours, about. Give them another half hour to get moving, and +there you are. Hark! The engineer has started to whistle. That is to +tell the passengers a start is intended; and here they come, rushing +pell-mell, fearful of getting left." And Frank laughed at the energy +displayed by some of those who had been aboard. + +It was a critical time when the train slowly pushed out upon the long +trestle. Everybody doubtless held their breath, and doubtless many a +heart throbbed with suspense. + +"It's all right, boys! We're safely over!" exclaimed Jerry, as, looking +out of the open window, he could see that they had passed the critical +stage. + +"Oh! I'm so glad! I don't know when I've felt such a flutter about my +heart. But, anyway, I secured a cracking good snapshot of that burning +bridge. Every time we look at it we can remember our hold-up," observed +Will, sighing with relief. + +It was now about ten o'clock at night, and on account of the delay, +travel was more or less congested along the line. + +Frank, upon making inquiries, learned that they would not arrive at +their destination until about daybreak, and so he and his chums went to +their berths to secure what sleep was possible. + +Frank had them up in good time, and long before dawn they were fully +dressed, awaiting the arrival of the train at the valley station with +impatience. + +"Another hour now, and then I shall know," Bluff was saying to himself. + +"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Jerry, who happened to overhear him. "And +for the peace of the party, I do hope the first thing you see when you +open your bag will be that awful sword." + +"We're stopping, fellows!" cried Will, trembling with eagerness. + +Five minutes later they jumped down from the train. + +"Hello, boys! Glad to see you! Better late than never!" said a hearty +voice, and then they found themselves shaking hands with a big man, +whose gray-bearded face seemed to be a picture of good nature. + +Of course, this was Mr. Mabie, the ranchman. He saw to it that their big +trunk was dropped off the baggage car, to be seized by a couple of +cowboys and hustled on to the back of a long buckboard wagon, drawn by a +couple of skittish horses. + +Then they were off, not five minutes after the train had pulled out. + +"Here, Reddy," said Mr. Mabie to the young driver, "let me make you +acquainted with some good fellows about your own age," and he introduced +them one after another. + +Frank saw that the cowboy was well named, for he had quite a fiery +thatch; but his freckled face seemed one of the sort that invited +confidence, and Frank believed he would like the other right well. Of +course, Reddy was attired as all well-ordered cowboys should be. Will +was secretly wild for a chance to introduce him in some picture. + +"It will give such a pleasing variety to our book of views, for we +haven't got a single cowboy in between the covers," he said in an aside +to Frank. + +They followed up the valley for over an hour. The ranch was miles +removed from the railway, and surrounded by the wildest scenery the +boys could remember having looked upon, and that was saying a good deal, +after such a journey. + +Martin Mabie was a widower, without any family. Still, he had a number +of women folks on the place, a sister keeping house for him, with a +Chinese cook to attend to the kitchen part of the establishment. + +"Ain't this immense?" remarked Bluff, as he waited impatiently for the +men to carry the big trunk indoors, so that he could satisfy his soul +about the one object that had been worrying him ever since leaving +Centerville. + +Somehow or other they seemed slow about doing this. The horses had to be +attended to first of all. Then there seemed to be some sort of +excitement in the neighborhood of the corral, for the boys noticed a +mounted cowboy come dashing up and jump from his steed, which was +blowing hard, as if from a rapid dash. + +He wondered if this sort of thing was of daily occurrence on the big +ranch, which took in the whole valley for miles, and extended even up +along the sides of the mountains on either hand. + +"What ails the fellow, I wonder?" observed Jerry, who, it seems, had +also noticed the rush of the newcomer. + +"From the way he bolted into the office where Mr. Mabie went, I imagine +he must have brought important news of some sort," remarked Frank. + +"Perhaps our very introduction to the Big M Ranch is going to be in a +whirl of excitement, fellows. I've noticed that somehow we seem to stir +up things wherever we go; not that we mean to have things happen, but +they just pick out such a time to play hob," said Jerry, shaking his +head as if thoroughly convinced. + +"Here comes Mr. Mabie, hurrying this way!" declared Bluff, beginning to +forget his other anxiety for the time being in this new mystery. + +"And there goes the cowboy back to the horse corral. He's shouting +something, too, and as sure as you live every man is jumping to get a +horse handy between his legs. Look at them slapping saddles on! Why, +they'll be off like the wind! Boys, something is up! I know it!" + +Frank and his chums saw several cowboys dash away as though possessed, +shouting, and waving their hats in a reckless manner, as if about to +charge an enemy who had designs on the cattle of the ranch. + +"Whatever can it mean?" said Will again. + +"For the life of me I can't imagine," returned Frank, sorely puzzled. + +"But we'll soon know, fellows, for here comes Mr. Mabie, and he's +swinging his hat as though just as excited as the balance of the crowd. +Whatever it is, he means to tell us!" cried Jerry, his eyes glowing with +the nerve-racking anxiety. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE GRIZZLY AT BAY + + +"Boys, do you want to see some fun?" called the ranchman as he came up. + +"Always ready for that sort of thing, sir. What's going on?" asked +Frank. + +"An old friend of ours, whom we call 'Mountain Charlie,' has broken +bounds at last, and is even now trying to drag one of my best yearlings +off to the mountain canyon where he has his den," replied the other. + +"Mountain Charlie?" repeated Frank, mystified. + +"And has a den in the mountains, too! What sort of a beast is that? Or +can it be a wild man?" asked Bluff. + +The ranchman laughed heartily. + +"I forgot you were tenderfeet, boys. We call a grizzly by that name out +here. This fellow we have known for some time. Hunting him has never +proven a profitable business, and, as a rule, he has never before come +so far out in the open; but hunger tempted the old chap, and the man who +galloped in told me he was even then dragging the yearling he had killed +in the direction of the hills." + +"Oh! if we could only get there in time to see them shoot him!" +exclaimed Will, hitching his camera a little closer to his body. + +"That's just what you're going to see. I sent word that he was not to be +hurt until we arrived. Horses are being hitched up for us all. I suppose +you can ride, boys?" inquired the owner of the ranch. + +"To a certain extent, though I suppose your cowboys will think us pretty +punky at it," answered Jerry. + +"But we mean to learn everything we can while here," piped up Bluff +earnestly. + +"Good for you! These horses are only old plugs, however, so there's no +fear of them running away with you; and here they come." + +Several cowboys came toward them, each leading a number of horses. Frank +thought that for "old plugs," the four intended for himself and chums +possessed considerable of the fire that had animated them in other +years. + +"Up you go, boys. Take your pick. Then we're off." + +Each seized upon the nearest animal, and, making use of the stirrup, +threw himself into the saddle. As Jerry had said, all of them had +frequently ridden at home, and indeed considered that they knew as much +about a saddle as the average boy of the East; but that amounted to very +little out here, where every one almost lived upon the back of a +broncho. + +"Wow! But this is going some!" said Jerry as the whole group dashed +madly up the valley. + +"I only hope I don't lose my camera in the rush," came from Will, who +was having troubles of his own in the rear. + +"Look ahead, fellows! You can see what's going on, now!" called Frank, +who kept alongside the ranchman in the lead. + +"Why, there's the bear, as sure as you live!" Bluff gasped. + +"But what's he trying to do? First he rushes one way, and then turns +around to make a bolt at the other side. He must be getting rattled." + +"Don't you see, Jerry, they've got him lassoed? He wants to tackle any +one of those three cowboys, but he just can't, with as many ropes +pulling him in three directions." + +"Talk to me about that, will you, Frank!" cried Jerry. "I never expected +to see a grizzly bear held up in a rope like a steer. Look at the game +little ponies on their haunches, and holding like fun. They seem +somewhat scared, too, pard. Between you and me, I don't blame 'em a bit. +I'd hate to think that big beast was aiming to get a grip on me." + +It was just as Jerry said. The cowboys had headed the grizzly off so +that he was unable to gain the safety of the wild mountain gorges. +Doubtless he had been loth to leave his prey at the approach of the +riders, and this had contributed to his final undoing. + +One after another three of them had dropped their ropes over the head of +the grizzly as he reared himself on his hind legs. The lariats stretched +like piano wires under the strain, and as the cowboys had taken up +positions in a sort of triangle they could keep the bear from making any +sort of rush. + +"Watch and see the fun," said Mr. Mabie, who had made sure to fetch his +rifle along when coming from the ranch house; but he did not seem in any +hurry to utilize the same. + +Will, of course, immediately made good use of his camera. + +Meanwhile, wilder grew the exertions of the trapped grizzly. He was +snarling with rage. The foam gathered about his mouth, and Frank +shuddered as he saw the cruel teeth, not to speak of the long, deadly +and poisonous claws. + +"Hey, Bluff! If you only had that gentle little knife of yours handy, +now would be a fine chance to rush in and have a tussle with that meek +grizzly! You know you told us all just how you meant to slay the +jabbercock with one straight blow." + +Bluff did not make any verbal reply to this unkind thrust on the part of +Jerry, but Frank, looking at him, saw that his face was deadly pale, and +that he was staring at the terrible monster with whom the reckless +cowboys were playing as a cat does with a mouse. He knew Bluff was +feeling a chill at the thought of such a tragedy happening as his having +an encounter with a beast like that. + +"What if the ropes should break?" asked Frank as the captive made a more +ferocious rush than usual, and the pony on the other side was dragged +several feet. + +"Then there would be somewhat of a mix-up, and a case of every man for +himself. They'd expect me to show that I hadn't altogether forgotten my +craft in connection with handling a rifle. Once I used to be a crack +shot, but lack of experience plays hob with a man's nerves," replied +Mr. Mabie, as he sat upon his steed and played with the repeating rifle +he held. + +"I see you are enjoying the situation, boys. Would one of you like to +wind him up?" and the ranchman turned to Frank. + +"I don't believe I would, sir," laughed that worthy. + +"How about you, Jerry?" + +"I've often dreamed of shooting such game, but excuse me, Mr. Mabie, it +would be too much like the butcher business to please me," observed the +other. + +At this the stockman laughed. + +"Oh, I can understand that principle of honor in a true sportsman, my +lad, and I must say it does you credit; but when you come to know +grizzlies better, and appreciate their terrible strength, you'll agree +with the rest of us that a man has to forget such things when he gets a +chance to puncture the hide of so fierce a monster as this old rogue. He +could kill a horse with a single blow, or tear one into shreds with +those claws. If I can get my mount to go a little closer, I'll try to +wind him up with a single ball, but it's difficult to shoot from the +back of a nervous pony." + +He began to speak to his steed, which was striking the turf with its +hoofs, and champing at the bit, as if terrified at such close proximity +to, an animal so greatly to be dreaded. + +Then suddenly there was a wild shout from the cowboys, and Frank, +looking, saw one of them whirling his horse in wild flight, and dashing +toward the group. He seemed to guess instinctively what had +happened--the rope of the opposite rider must have broken under the +tremendous strain. This really left the grizzly free, and, filled with +mad rage, he was galloping straight toward them! + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +BLUFF MISSES SOMETHING + + +"Look out there!" shouted one of the cowboys. + +"Run, boys!" exclaimed Frank as he started to turn his pony around so as +to get beyond reach of the rapidly advancing bear. + +He had just succeeded in doing this, and even started to gallop away, +when he saw a sight that almost froze the blood in his veins. + +Jerry had, of course, intended doing a similar vamoosing stunt. It +happened, however, that his horse was more frightened than those of the +others. When he jerked at the bridle the beast whirled with such a +vicious fling that the boy, totally unprepared for such a move, and +unable to get the grip with his knees that a cowboy always secures, went +toppling over his head. + +Frank, looking over his shoulder as he was borne rapidly away by his own +alarmed steed, saw Jerry scramble to his knees. At any rate, he thought +with relief, the other had escaped a broken neck in his ugly tumble. + +Still, with that enraged grizzly bearing swiftly down upon him, in +spite of the one rope that still held taut, the position of poor Jerry +was not the most pleasant in the world. + +Frank's first and only inspiration was to turn his horse around and rush +back to the assistance of his chum. It never occurred to him that being +without his own rifle, he would only be adding to the trouble by +offering Bruin a double sacrifice. + +His pony, however, offered serious objections to facing that roaring +hurricane of a beast. Despite Frank's most strenuous efforts, he could +only twist the animal's head around, but not a step would the frightened +beast approach. Dancing there, he snorted his distrust and alarm. + +But Frank plucked up new hope. He at the same time saw something else +that gave another aspect to the case. Jerry was not to be left alone to +his fate. + +"Hurrah for Mr. Mabie!" + +In his excitement Frank let out this shout. It was caused by seeing the +ranchman leap from the back of his own horse and rapidly run back toward +the spot where Jerry crouched, apparently too winded to get to his feet +and try flight. + +Now Mr. Mabie had reached the boy, and the barrier of his heavy +repeating rifle would be between Jerry and the grizzly. Frank expected +to see the stockman drop on one knee and take aim at the bear, now very +close to the two dismounted ones. Nothing of the kind occurred. On the +contrary, he saw Mr. Mabie thrust the rifle into the hands of the boy, +who seemed to seize it eagerly. + +Jerry had declined to shoot the grizzly when the beast was held by a +cordon of riatas. The conditions were now considerably altered, for the +huge animal was rapidly bearing down upon him, with the fire of +destruction in his small, blazing eyes. It was a case of bringing his +advance to a speedy stop, or suffering the consequences. + +Frank's heart thrilled with pride as he saw his chum throw the rifle up +to his shoulder and glance along the glistening barrel. Mr. Mabie had +shown wonderful confidence in the boy's nerve to thus place the solution +of the problem in Jerry's hands. + +Holding his breath, as he still tugged at the mouth of his refractory +mount, Frank saw the smoke shoot out from the muzzle of the gun as the +report sounded. + +"Whoop! He's down!" shrieked a cowboy curveting near by. + +"Take care! He's coming again, Jerry!" shouted Frank. + +The bear had rolled over at the shot, but being one of the toughest +animals in the world, he had immediately gained his feet again, and was +once more advancing. + +But Jerry knew what to do, even though he had never met quarry of this +caliber before. He pumped another cartridge into the chamber, +deliberately took aim, with apparently little show of excitement, and +fired again. + +Once more the grizzly stumbled and fell. When he tried to get up again +he did not seem equal to the effort. + +Mr. Mabie was shaking the hand of the young Nimrod with great +enthusiasm. Perhaps he had purposely tried the nerve of Jerry, to find +out what manner of boys these were, of whom old Jesse Wilcox spoke so +well. + +Now that the monster was dead, the ponies consented to draw somewhat +closer; but the boys had to dismount, and hand over their steeds to a +cowman when they wished to reach the spot where the victim of the hunt +lay. + +Will, with his camera, was, of course, in evidence. + +"I wouldn't have missed that for a cookie!" he declared. "And if that +frightened horse had only allowed me to take a crack at the time the old +hermit toppled over, I'd be ever so much happier." + +Frank, remembering how the other had been forced to clasp his arms +around the neck of his frantic steed at the time, smiled at the +impossibility of such a thing coming about. + +"Give us a grip of your paw, old fellow!" cried Bluff, rushing up, +brimming over with enthusiasm and admiration. "I'll sure never forget +that sight! And he did the Rod, Gun and Camera Club proud when he used +your weapon, didn't he, Mr. Mabie?" + +"I knew he would," was the quiet remark of the stockman; and Frank +understood that the other had been forming a favorable opinion of the +chums from the minute he saw them come off the train. + +"Would you like that skin to remember the event by, Jerry?" Mr. Mabie +asked, a little later, while they were watching the cowboys remove the +hide. + +"It would give my mother a cold chill to see it, if she ever heard the +story; but then we have a clubroom over our boathouse, and I guess it +would look nice there. So, since you are so kind as to offer it, I'll +say yes, Mr. Mabie." + +"Well, I should remark that we'd never forgive you if you let that +chance slip. It looks as though our big-game trip might pan out +something worth while, after all," observed Bluff. + +"You do everything on a big scale out here in the Northwest, sir. The +fields of wheat are tremendous, the distances immense, the mountains +higher than any in the East, by long odds; and the game the biggest in +the whole country," remarked Frank. + +"And in this bracing air we hope to raise the finest crop of boys in the +world. But let's return to the house, lads. It's time we had a bite, for +I'm sure your appetites must be sharpened by this little adventure." + +The ranchman cast many a secret admiring glance toward Jerry as they +rode home. He fell back with Frank on purpose to speak his mind, while +the other three galloped on ahead, laughing and shouting, as boys off on +a vacation always do. + +"I like that chap, Jerry," he remarked earnestly. "He's a lad after my +own heart. What he said about not wanting to shoot defenceless game gave +me a wrench, for we cherish notions along that same line up here in the +wilderness. Of course, the grizzly, as I said, does not come under that +law, for he's too terrible a customer to be given much rope." + +"Sometimes he takes his own rope," laughed Frank, secretly delighted to +hear this honest praise of his chum. + +"Which is quite true for you, Frank. That cowboy will not soon get over +the humiliation of having his lariat give way. He feels very sore about +it now," remarked the stockman, casting a side look toward where a +couple of his herders were wrangling over something as they brought up +the rear. + +"I'm so glad you gave Jerry that chance. He's the most enthusiastic +sportsman I ever met, and so honorable in his dealings with the wearers +of fin, fur and feather. No danger of the woods ever being depopulated +while he's around," Frank said, with his customary generous view of +anything that concerned his chums. + +"It was what you may call an inspiration. My first idea, of course, was +to cover the boy and face the bear. I did not doubt my own ability to +down him, but somehow I was tempted to take chances with the lad. I'm +glad now I did it. He stood the racket like a veteran. I'd be a happy +man if I'd only been left a boy like your chum for my own." + +The ranchman spurred on ahead at this, and Frank made no effort to +overtake him, for he felt sure he had seen tears glistening in the +other's eyes, and could appreciate his feelings, for the stockman's only +child, a boy, at that, lay with the mother in the ranch cemetery. + +Breakfast was ready for them, and what a glorious meal the boys made! +Just as Mr. Mabie had said, they proved as hungry as wolves. That clear +mountain air seemed to tone them up after their long railway journey, +and Frank laughingly declared their host had better send away for a new +stock of provisions if he expected to keep them satisfied. + +Bluff was the first to leave the table. Frank had seen him eating +hurriedly toward the close of the meal. He knew without being told what +ailed his comrade. + +"He'll never be happy until he gets it, fellows!" sang out Jerry, who, +of course, had also noticed the hurried departure of the anxious one. + +They could hear Bluff tossing things around hurriedly in the other room, +where they expected to bunk, and to which the big trunk had been finally +carried. + +Ten minutes later, Frank, remembering that a great silence had fallen +over the neighboring apartment, stole softly to the door and looked in. +He saw a picture of abject dejection there--Bluff sitting on the floor, +in the midst of piles of garments, clothes bags, and all manner of +things, frowning and shaking his head, as if he had lost his last +friend. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Frank, drawing nearer. + +"Matter enough," answered the disconsolate one, sighing heavily. "Why, +after all my trouble and everything, I've gone and left that knife at +home, and now my whole trip is going to be spoiled for me. I just seemed +to feel that something was bound to happen to upset my calculations. I +might as well go back, that's what," said Bluff, gritting his teeth in +his spasm of disgust. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +FRANK HAS HIS TURN + + +"Oh, humbug! There are other knives," remarked Frank cheerily. + +"Not like that one," said Bluff dismally. + +"No doubt Mr. Mabie will lend you a good one while you're here." + +"Yes, he's awfully kind, but it wouldn't be that knife," groaned the +bereaved Bluff. + +"When do you remember seeing it last?" demanded Frank, as a suspicion +darted into his brain that was connected with Jerry. + +On one of their former camping trips Jerry had professed to entertain a +decided antipathy toward a repeating shotgun of modern make that Bluff +had bought. He declared that it was a shame for one who called himself a +sportsman to handle so destructive a weapon. When a chance came, he hid +the gun in a box that held some of their superfluous things. Later, upon +trying to find it, in order to give it back, he learned that it was +missing, and Bluff had to go without his gun until the hunt was nearly +over, when it was discovered in the woods, where the thief had dropped +it. + +Frank wondered if Jerry was concerned in the mysterious vanishing of the +wonderful hunting-knife. He had laughed at its tremendous proportions +and ornate handle. Still, it did not seem reasonable to believe that +Jerry would be guilty of a second trick along those same lines. + +"I was trying to remember. You know we were showing our things to the +girls?" + +"Yes, I believe we were," smiled Frank; for he could still see Bluff +flourishing his precious knife, sheath and all, for the entertainment of +Nellie. + +"Well, I can't remember for the life of me seeing it again after that. +You know we packed in a big hurry in the morning. I may have laid it +aside, intending that it would go in on top, and then overlooked it. +Such a fool play, too, when that was the prize of the whole collection!" +groaned Bluff. + +"And you've looked over the whole outfit here, have you?" Frank +continued, surveying the piled-up mess of stuff. + +"Yes; three separate times. Oh, there's no getting around it, I've made +a goose of myself, and you know how I wanted to use that trusty blade +so much. Of course, I won't think of moping in my tent. I'll borrow a +knife, and perhaps it will do me good service; but nothing can ever take +the place of that beautiful piece of steel." + +"Well, let's get these things in something like order before the boys +come in. Sort out what belongs to you, and chuck the balance of your +extra clothes in your own bag, for I see that you've had most of them +out" + +"Yes. I even wondered if I could have stuck that knife in among my other +shirts and underclothes, but it isn't there. I'll have to stand it, but +you fellows will never know what a loss this is to me. Coming all this +distance, too, just to get a chance to use it on an elk, or something +worth while." + +Frank thought that if Bluff had his way his mates would at least never +have a chance to forget about his great loss, for he was apt to remind +them of it every little while. + +Will now came bustling in, anxious to ascertain if his little developing +outfit came through safely, together with his packages of hypo and other +necessities. + +It was decided to put in that day around the ranch seeing how Mr. Mabie +ran his business. Then on the following morning a party of them +intended to set out for a camp in the mountains, where game would +likely be found. + +"We'll occupy three camps I have in view. From the first we can go to +the second by taking several bullboats that will be waiting for us, and +shooting the rapids in the river. That would be an experience you boys +might enjoy," remarked the stockman as they rode around the valley to +get a comprehensive grasp upon the way in which this enterprising +settler carried on a big cattle ranch. + +Reddy seemed to have been picked out by the owner to keep with them. +Frank was glad of this, for somehow he had come to entertain a fancy for +the smiling young cowboy. + +"Rapids, did you say?" exclaimed Jerry, his face lighting up with +rapture. "Why, that would tickle us from the ground up. I've always +wanted to run through some little Niagara. Frank, here, has done it up +in Maine, so he tells us. I hope what you have will beat his experience +all hollow." + +"Well, they are some rapids, I understand," replied the other, smiling. + +"And if I could only be on the shore, to see you shoot down, it would +afford me the greatest pleasure in the world. Not that I don't want to +go through, too, but my first duty is toward securing all these +wonderful events in an imperishable way by taking a picture. Some +scoffers may doubt a story, but pictures never lie." + +"That shows your innocence, Will," remarked Jerry. "Why, I've seen +fellows standing beside the fish they caught, which I knew myself to be +only ten inches long, and yet the cunning photographer had arranged it +so that it looked all of two feet." + +"I'm surprised that you, with all your experience, shouldn't know that," +said Frank, pretending to frown. + +"You mistook my meaning, that's all. What I intended to say was that +_my_ pictures would never lie," affirmed Will sturdily. + +"Hear! hear! Somebody rub him on the back, please! But joking aside, +Will, I'm ready to back you up on that score. The only fault I find with +you is your ambition to take a fellow in every pickle he happens to drop +into," and Jerry made a wry face as he remembered a number of scenes in +which he had figured, that were wont to excite his chums to uproarious +laughter at such times as they looked at the faithful reproductions in +their album at the clubhouse. + +In this pleasant way the day passed, and evening found them eager to +complete their preparations for the morrow. Mr. Mabie answered every +question fired at him by the anxious young sportsmen, especially Bluff, +who wanted to know everything connected with the game they expected to +hunt. + +"He's trying to forget his great disappointment," said Frank as he and +Jerry watched the other plying Mr. Mabie with these queries; for Bluff +was the son of a lawyer, and would never take things for granted. + +"What's that?" asked Jerry, for no one had been told about the loss that +had come to Bluff. + +"Can't find that knife of his anywhere, it seems, and believes he must +have left it behind. He was looking mighty blue when I found him in the +room, with all our stuff tumbled, pell-mell, out of the trunk." + +Frank eyed his chum as he spoke. Jerry turned a little red. + +"Not guilty, Frank! I give you my word I never touched the measly old +knife. I'm sorry for him, too, for he seemed so bent on doing great +stunts with it. I'll take a look myself," he said hastily, and yet +meeting his chum's gaze in such a straightforward fashion that Frank +never doubted his word for an instant. + +"No use doing that. He rooted the whole outfit over. The knife is gone, +and that's sure! I've been thinking some about it." + +"And had a bright idea, I warrant. What's your solution of the +mystery?" + +"Why, you see, Jerry, I can clearly recollect Nellie's startled look +when Bluff showed her that terribly large knife. She's afraid of such +things. I'm sure she must have worried some about it, and I was +thinking--" + +"What?" + +"That perhaps she may have considered it prudent to hide it away so that +he couldn't find it again. I believe she would in my case, anyhow. It +would be just like Nellie." + +"Oh, well, it doesn't matter much, only Bluff is such a fellow to hang +on a thing he'll never give us any peace about it. Have you asked Will?" +said Jerry. + +"No. I will, though; but I don't think he would bother his head about a +dozen knives. If it were a camera, now, or a rapid-action rectilinear +lens, you could depend on him to take notice." + +Frank was as good as his word. Will denied having touched the article in +question, and said he was sorry to hear Bluff would be deprived of a +pleasure. + +And so for the time being the mystery remained such, with Bluff +occasionally digging into that trunk in a vain search, and always +sighing mournfully because he failed to bring the lost treasure to +light. + +The boys bunked in one big room. It was very much like a picnic for +them, and would often bring back pleasant memories whenever they looked +at the rather clever view Will managed to get of the interior, with his +chums and himself lolling there. + +In the morning there was pretty much of a bustle around the ranch house. + +"Ready, boys?" called Mr. Mabie, as he appeared with his gun strapped +across his back, as the easiest way of carrying it. + +A chorus of affirmatives greeted his question. + +"Then mount, and we'll be off. They've gone on ahead last night with the +tents and foodstuff, so that we'll find things in pretty much shipshape +when we get on the ground." + +"Say, they do things right out in this big country, eh?" said Bluff to +Frank as the two of them galloped off in company. + +The morning was fair and the air sharp enough to be bracing. + +"Never saw anything to equal the atmosphere here," remarked Frank as +their host came alongside. "There seems to be a tonic in it that even we +do not have up in Maine or the Adirondacks. It makes you feel like +shouting all the time." + +"Everybody says the same when they first come. Presently you will grow +accustomed to its invigorating tone, and quiet down. It is caused by the +dry air. We are a long way from the Atlantic, and these mighty mountains +to the west act as a buffer to the moisture-laden air from the Pacific." + +Crossing the valley, they were soon penetrating among the foothills at +the base of the great uplifts, the tops of which bore eternal snow. + +Wilder grew the scenery as they penetrated deeper into the wilderness. +Frank and his chums were almost awed by the grandeur of their +surroundings. At the same time, Jerry kept an eager eye on the watch for +signs of game. The sportsman spirit was strong in his nature, and +generally forged to the front. + +It was Frank, however, who first chanced to spy something that excited +his attention. + +"What is that moving up yonder, Mr. Mabie? There! Look! I declare if it +didn't jump straight across from that high rock to the other! Is that a +Rocky Mountain sheep, sir?" he asked. + +"Just what it is, my lad; and if you feel inclined, there is a chance +for you to get a shot at it," came the quick reply. + +"I would like it, first rate," declared Frank, immediately changing his +rifle from his back to his hands. + +"All right, then. Listen, and I'll tell you how it may be done. We'll +rest our horses right here, for the last climb over this rough ridge to +the bank of the swift river lying between. You drop down here and make +your way along until you can get a chance to shoot. It will be a long +shot, remember, so make allowances; and the wind is with you, not +against you." + +"I'll try my best, sir," said Frank, slipping off his horse. + +"Be very careful as you crawl along, for a slip might cost you your +life," were the last words he heard the stockman say as he began to +descend the little declivity in order to make his way along its base, so +as to remain concealed from the quarry. + +Frank was careful as well as quick in his movements. Again and again he +peeped out to see what the mountain sheep was doing. So far as he could +learn, the animal seemed to be centering its attention on the caravan +that had halted. Three times it moved its position, and once he was just +in time to see it make a most dazzling leap, which he hoped Will might +have caught with his quick-action lens. + +Finally, having gained a place where he had a fine view of the animal +standing there across the gorge, Frank sank down so as to get a good +aim. Not quite satisfied, he crawled forward a little further, and then +proceeded to put his fortune to the test. + +Never had he calculated more exactly just how he should aim in order to +bring the success he craved. When he pressed the trigger he was thrilled +to see the mountain sheep give a wild spring into the air and then fall +over the edge of the platform. This time its spring lacked the buoyancy +of life, and Frank knew that his bullet had reached its billet. + +But he had no time to exult, for as he moved he felt the ground slipping +from under him, and realized that nothing could interpose to prevent his +falling into the deep gorge! + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE YOUNG HUNTER AND THE ELK + + +There are times when one acts from instinct alone. Frank had no time to +think, when he felt himself going down with some loose earth and stones +into the wide canyon. He simply threw his rifle back of him, so that he +might save it from falling, and at the same time have the free use of +both hands. + +He fell a dozen feet or so, along with the loose soil and rocks he had +caused to give way under his weight. Then, by some happy accident, his +outstretched hands closed upon a bush that was growing from the rough +face of the wall, and to this he clung with desperation. + +It threatened to come loose with each movement he made, and yet he was +bound to find some niche for his dangling feet, so as to relieve the +bush from a part of his weight. + +He had heard the loud outcries of his friends, and knew they must be +hastening to his relief. + +If he could only hold on for five minutes all might be well. + +Below lay quite an abyss, and a fall was apt to bruise him very much, +even if he were fortunate enough not to have any bones broken. It was, +therefore, with considerable gratitude that he discovered he could dig +his toes into crevices in the rock, and thus hang on. + +Jerry afterward declared that Frank presented all the appearance of a +fly plastered against a wall; but it might have been noticed that he was +the first one to reach the edge of the platform and breathe encouraging +words to his endangered chum. + +Mr. Mabie knew what would be needed before he made the first movement. + +"Bring your rope, Reddy!" he shouted, and the agile cowboy had obeyed. + +This was quickly lowered until the noose dangled below Frank. + +"Use one foot to draw it in, my boy. We want you to get both legs inside +the loop, and then gradually let us draw it up under your arms. It's all +right. We're going to have you out of that, so don't worry!" called the +ranchman. + +"You can depend on it, Frank isn't frightened. If that bush threatens to +go, get a quick grip of the rope! Do you understand, Frank?" called +Jerry. + +A quick nod of the head told that the one below realized he was as good +as drawn up already. One foot was cautiously withdrawn from its support +and the loop caught; then the second also passed inside the circle; +after which a tightening of the lariat brought it up to where Mr. Mabie +wanted to have it. + +"Now here you come, my boy!" he called cheerily. + +Frank let go his frenzied clutch, and swung into space; but willing +hands quickly drew him up until he stood with his chums. + +"Did I get him?" was the first question he asked, at which the stockman +laughed heartily and patted him on the back. + +"Spoken like a true sportsman, I declare! How about it, Reddy?" he said. + +"There's his game, sir, lying just at the foot of that old slide. It was +as neat a shot as I ever saw," declared the young cowboy, pointing. + +"Which is the truth, old fellow!" exclaimed Jerry, seizing Frank's hand +and wringing it warmly, without a touch of jealousy, even though his own +laurels as the admitted best shot of the club seemed in jeopardy. + +"But what a pity we can't get it! I hate to think of killing game and +leaving it for the wolves," said Frank. + +"Oh, that's soon remedied. Reddy will promise to land that sheep here +for you in double-quick order, eh?" + +Reddy was already fastening one end of his lariat to a projecting stone +that resembled a saddle-horn. This done, he tried it, to make sure that +it would hold. Then he tossed the balance of the rope, loop and all, +over the edge. + +"Does it reach down?" asked Mr. Mabie. + +"Just gets there, and no more," replied Will, craning his neck to see. + +Reddy flung himself over in what struck Will as a most reckless fashion; +but he discovered in time that these free riders of the ranches do +everything in that nervous manner. It is a country where men quickly +learn that often their lives depend on their ability to act promptly and +like a flash. + +"He's down already," announced Will, half a minute later. + +And it was not ten minutes before they saw the cowboy coming back again. +He had Frank's first mountain sheep upon his back, and though the way +was rough he jumped from stone to stone with surprising agility for one +who spent so much time in the saddle. + +In due time the journey was resumed. + +"How much further do we go?" asked Will, as he followed behind the +guide, Reddy. + +"Here's the top of the ridge. Now you can see the other valley, and the +noise you hear is made by a cataract in the river. We camp just below +that. Fishing is good there, and I guess you'll like it," was the reply. + +They soon headed down, and the end of their day's work seemed close at +hand. It can be easily assumed that none of the boys were sorry. Quite +unused to riding, they began to feel the effects already. + +"I'm glad it's a camp after this. I've sure got a cramp in my legs that +it'll take a long time to get out," grunted Bluff. + +"Rome wasn't built in a day, son. Each time you ride you'll notice that +cramp less and less, until after a month you will be entirely free from +it. But here we are at our journey's end, and I, for one, don't feel +sorry, because for ten minutes I've been scenting that coffee. The boys +have seen us coming, and started to have dinner cooked." + +It proved to be just as Mr. Mabie said. A most appetizing camp dinner +was ready for them when they arrived. Perhaps Jerry and Frank may have +thought it did not fully come up to some similar feasts they had helped +prepare in the woods, but of course they never hinted at such a thing; +for those cowboys, while the most accommodating of fellows, were also +thin-skinned in some respects. + +Will was fairly delighted at the romantic looks of the camp, back of +which the waterfall came tumbling down. He could hardly wait to eat his +dinner before he set to work to secure a _fac-simile_ of the picture, +with the party gathered around the fire, and the three tents making a +pleasing contrast to the dark green of the pinon trees. + +Most of the party were contented to remain quiet during the balance of +the day, but Bluff developed an unusually ambitious spirit for action. +Truth to tell, he secretly considered that his chums were having more +than their share of good luck in making a record at bagging game, and +thought it time he started in. + +Mr. Mabie had made him accept the use of a spare hunting-knife. It was a +short, though serviceable weapon, and had doubtless done splendid +execution in days gone by. Bluff used to take it out when he thought no +one was looking, run his finger over the keen edge, gaze sadly at the +dim blade, and shake his head. He could not get the memory of that other +grand specimen of the cutler's skill out of his mind, and his soul was +filled with bitterness because of its strange absence. + +"Look out for wolves!" called Reddy, but Bluff only waved his hand in +derision as he walked away down the valley. + +Of course, he knew that the stockmen were more or less troubled with +these hungry marauders in the winter time, and often had to organize +grand hunts in order to keep their number down; but it hardly seemed +reasonable to expect trouble from such a source in the summer season. + +Elk and moose had not as yet come under the protection of the game laws, +so that they were at liberty to shoot what they pleased. As a rule, +however, Mr. Mabie did not believe in hunting such animals save in the +fall of the year. + +Bluff had asked numerous questions before leaving camp, so that he knew +something about the lay of the land in the vicinity. He had started out +with all due regard to the way the wind was blowing, so as not to alarm +any quarry that might be sniffing up the breeze. + +Climbing among the rocks, and passing through dense patches of timber, +he kept on the alert for signs of game. Now, Bluff did not make any +pretence at being a skilful sportsman. In fact, until a year or so back +he had been the bungler of the party when it came to a knowledge of +woodcraft; but since then he had studied up on various subjects, and was +now anxious to air his knowledge. + +When he caught sight of a large animal with towering antlers, feeding in +a little glade, he knew it must, of necessity, be an elk, for a moose +was built along different lines entirely. + +It might have amused Jerry to see the way in which Bluff crawled closer +and closer to the expected quarry. No doubt he did make some ridiculous +efforts, which were not at all according to the usual rules of the game. +However, as Bluff would say, the proof of the pudding lies in the eating +of it, and he certainly did manage to creep up quite close to the +feeding elk. + +Thinking he was now near enough, and that the animal was beginning to +act uneasily, Bluff stretched himself out, balanced his gun on a stone, +took a long aim, and then pulled the trigger. + +The elk certainly dropped, at which the young hunter gave a bellow of +delight. That was where he made a foolish blunder, for believing that +his bullet had done for the game, Bluff started recklessly forward, bent +on bleeding the same, and only regretting the fact that he could not +initiate his precious new blade. + +To his astonishment, the wounded elk scrambled to its feet, and instead +of bounding away it shook its antlers in an angry fashion and started +straight toward the young hunter! + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE ELK AND THE YOUNG HUNTER + + +"Hey! Hold on, there! That isn't in the game!" + +The elk did not seem to care whether it were so or not, but came rushing +straight on. Like many another, more experienced in the ways of the +woods than himself, Bluff almost forgot that he had other charges in his +gun. He was so amazed to see the animal he had fully believed to be dead +show such surprising signs of life, that he stood there for a few +precious seconds, gaping as if in a dream. + +Then he made a wild spring to one side and gained the shelter of a tree. + +"Oh! What a socker!" he exclaimed, as the enraged and bleeding animal +came full tilt against the trunk of the tree. + +Before he could say more, or try to form any plan of action, he found +himself obliged to spin around that same trunk with all the rapidity he +could command, for the elk was apparently determined to overtake him, +and those towering antlers seemed pointed with spikes, in the eyes of +the startled lad as he strained every effort to keep beyond their reach. + +Bluff was really alarmed by this time. He knew that any unfortunate slip +on his part would precipitate a tragedy. + +"I laughed at Jerry and the wild dogs that chased him around and around, +but never again for me!" he gasped, as he kept up the weary circle, +hugging the trunk as closely as possible. + +This, however, caused him to remember that on the other occasion his +chum had finally managed to gain the victory through his own gun, and +Bluff suddenly came to a knowledge of the fact that he did have a gun +gripped in his hand, and which also contained five more shots. + +"Hold on! Give me a breathing spell, hang you! I'll fix you yet!" he +managed to exclaim, though he would better have husbanded his breath to +better purpose. + +The elk was not a bit accommodating. Perhaps the animal understood that +so long as it kept Bluff in rapid motion the human enemy could not find +a chance to use that fire-stick again, that shot out such burning +missiles. At any rate, it persevered, and poor Bluff's tongue fairly +hung out with fatigue. + +In desperation, he was about to turn around, trusting to luck to get in +a shot that would put an end to this awful chase in a circle, when the +elk tripped and fell. + +"Now!" gasped Bluff. + +You would have thought he must have leveled his gun and fired. Jerry +or Frank would, in all probability, have done that very thing. But +Bluff seemed to go back to the first law of Nature, which is +self-preservation. + +He dropped his gun, and seizing a limb that happened to be within reach, +climbed into the tree with the agility of a monkey. Fear spurred him on +to do his best work just then. + +"Don't you wish you could?" he shouted derisively down at the elk, which +was jumping up, and making all manner of threatening movements with its +antlered head, much after the fashion of an enraged goat, Bluff thought. + +He was safe enough, but somehow Bluff did not like the idea of having to +wait in the tree until his chums, drawn by his calls, came to the +rescue. Why, he would never hear the end of the thing! It was too +horrible to contemplate, and in some fashion he must secure possession +of his gun to end the career of that pugnacious old bull elk. + + [Illustration: "DON'T YOU WISH YOU COULD?" HE SHOUTED DERISIVELY DOWN AT + THE ELK.--_Page 98_. + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_.] + +Bluff had read more or less about the strange adventures that befall +hunters of big game. He also remembered how one man had fished for his +gun, and successfully, under similar conditions. + +Having no cord in his pocket, he deliberately tore his handkerchief into +strips and knotted them together. When this failed to reach the ground, +he fastened it to the end of a long and stout "sucker," or sprout, which +he cut from the body of the tree. + +A running loop was made at the other end, for he could see that his gun +lay in such a position that the barrel was tilted. + +Bluff then began to angle. Many times he came near accomplishing his +purpose, when something occurred to break up his plans. + +"I'll never give up," he declared, when the elk moved forward, as if +suspecting something, and endeavored to catch the dangling noose in its +antlers, which Bluff would not have happen for anything. + +"If I was trying to catch you, I'd want something stronger than this +rag. Now please wander away again, and let me have another try," he +said; and then, as the animal did walk off a dozen paces, as if +encouraging him to descend, he courteously added, "Thank you." + +A minute later he was thrilled to find that his erratic loop had +actually dropped over the end of the gun barrel. A quick jerk at the +proper instant tightened the clutch, and after that it was the easiest +thing in the world to pull the weapon up within reach of his trembling +hands. + +"Now, we'll see if you're going to have the laugh on me, you old scamp! +Hi! Hold on, there! Who said you could walk away? Come back here, and +have it out! I dare you!" + +The elk, as if suspecting that all was not well, had indeed started to +move off. But when Bluff made a great feint of coming down, he succeeded +in exciting the animal's anger again, and caution was flung to the +winds. + +Bluff watched for his chance, and when it came he made sure work of it +by sending a bullet through the heart of the fighting elk. + +Even then he waited a little while. + +"Going to try getting up again? This time I'm ready for you, old +fellow!" he said to the fallen beast; but presently it became patent, +even to his inexperienced eyes, that the elk had breathed its last. + +"Now, if Will were only here," Bluff remarked enviously, as he put one +foot on his prize and tried to look very unconcerned, as if knocking +down such big game might be a matter of almost daily occurrence with +him. + +Not knowing how to go about cutting the elk up, Bluff headed back toward +the camp. Before leaving the spot he thought to bleed the quarry, after +a fashion, for he understood that such a thing was always done to make +the meat taste better. + +Half an hour later he showed up in the camp. It was next to impossible +to get lost in that valley, which might account for Bluff finding his +way back with comparative ease. + +Jerry was lounging alongside one of the tents, engaged in getting his +fishing tackle in order, for a try in the pool below the falls. + +"Shall we send the horses out to tote it in?" he asked, after the usual +fashion of greeting greenhorns when they come back from a hunt +apparently unattended by success. + +"Did you hear me shoot?" asked Bluff carelessly. + +"Why, yes, twice; and some time apart. What was it--a crow or a +jack-rabbit?" + +Bluff only smiled as Mr. Mabie came out of the tent and glanced at him. + +"What would you say that was, sir?" he asked, thrusting something in +front of the old stockman. + +Starting back, Mr. Mabie looked hastily at the hairy object. + +"An elk's tail, as sure as you live!" he remarked, his face relaxing in +a smile. + +"What's that?" roared Jerry, springing to his feet. + +"Oh, you needn't get excited about it. Do you see the dull spots on my +knife? Well, I bled my game, all right, just as I wanted to do with that +bully good blade that was left behind; and if Reddy will only go back +with me, we can bring the old fellow in on a horse," said Bluff coolly. + +"Count me in on that!" exclaimed Will, rushing out of his impromptu +dark-room, and waving the bottle in which he was making a solution of +hypo. + +"I think I'll go along, too," remarked Frank, appearing from some other +place. + +When the party started forth presently, there were six of them with the +horse--the chums, Reddy, and Mr. Mabie himself. + +"I am beginning to believe you boys will corral everything in sight if +you keep on the way you've started. A grizzly, a sheep, and now an elk; +and only thirty hours with me! H'm! Perhaps I may not be able to show +you as much about big-game hunting as I expected," said the stockman, +who seemed vastly amused at the energy shown by his young guests at the +ranch. + +"Oh, we can pull a trigger, all right, sir, but there are a thousand +things we want to know about these natives that books never teach. I'm +like a sponge, and can keep on soaking up information all the time," +laughed Frank. + +Incautiously, Bluff let fall certain words that gave Jerry a clue as to +the true situation. + +"A tree! Shot him downward from a tree, eh? Now, since you've so frankly +confessed that much, why not tell the whole blooming story, Bluff?" he +cried. + +"There isn't much to it. I saw the elk. Then I shot him, and he fell +over. After that the elk saw me. He chased me about a tree. I remembered +how fast Jerry said he ran around when those wild dogs were after him, +and I wanted to go him just one better. Then I found a chance to climb +when the wounded elk stumbled. After that I made a rope out of my +handkerchief and fished with a loop until I caught the barrel of my gun. +That's all." + +"A whole history in a nutshell. But we must be getting near the place, +according to what you said at the start. There are the three oaks +growing in a clump. Now where's your dead elk?" + +As Frank spoke he turned to Bluff. That individual was staring around in +evident bewilderment. + +"It was sure here I met him. There's the little glade, and this big tree +is the one I climbed up into. I saw him lying there. I _know_ he was +dead when I bled him. But I must be blind, for the elk certainly is not +here now. Oh! Did he come to life again, and run away?" said poor Bluff, +in despair, looking at the tail, which he had thrust into his belt. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HARD LUCK + + +"Talk to me about your dreamers!" muttered Jerry, shrugging his +shoulders. + +"But I tell you it was so!" asserted Bluff, firing up. + +"The boy is right," said Mr. Mabie, as he stepped forward and fastened +his eyes upon the ground. + +Frank saw immediately what the stockman had in mind. These things +mentioned by Bluff could never have happened without leaving some +tangible traces behind. Where a big elk had been slain there must be +signs of the blood that had flowed. + +"Look here, and see for yourself, Jerry." And Mr. Mabie pointed to the +ground at his feet. + +"There's some marks of hoofs around, I admit, and they seem to circle +about the tree, just as Bluff says; and--yes, that's blood on the +ground, as sure as you live! I guess I'm on the wrong track. He did +have a merry circus. He did shoot an elk, but where has the blooming +thing gone?" exclaimed the scoffer. + +"That's just what I'm going to find out through Reddy, here. He has some +local reputation as a tracker. Put your nose down to it, and let us know +what happened, Reddy." + +In accordance with the request of the ranchman, the cowboy threw himself +upon his hands and knees. + +"Indians!" he announced, before they had taken half a dozen breaths. + +"What?" cried Bluff, staring hard. + +"Cree Indians been here. I can see the print of their moccasins plain as +day; and here's where they dragged the elk along, heading toward the +river!" + +Reddy seemed to have not the slightest trouble in reading the signs, and +yet to the boys there was not the faintest vestige of marks. Presently, +however, Frank was able to make out the print of a foot in the soil, and +he noted that the one who made it wore no heels. His footwear must be +moccasins. + +"H'm!" remarked Mr. Mabie. "Just what I suspected. The thieving Crees +have robbed our young friend of his prize. Too bad! But there are more +elk around, Bluff, and I hope you'll have other chances." + +"But that one chased me so hard I wanted revenge. I calculated on eating +a bit of his flank for my dinner. What's the matter with our following +up the scamps, and making them give up some of my game, anyhow?" +demanded the disappointed hunter. + +"Impossible just now. The river is close by, and they undoubtedly had +boats in which they fled, carrying off your elk. By this time they've +shot the rapids, and must be miles below. Possibly we may run across the +rascals later, when we also go down the river," replied Mr. Mabie. + +Reddy had gone off, his head bent low, and they understood that he was +following the trail, much as a hound would have done, with this one +difference, that whereas a dog pursues by scent alone, the cowboy had to +depend on his eyes. + +"But if game is so plentiful, why should these Crees want to steal my +elk?" pursued Bluff, who could not be easily satisfied. + +"That bothers me to answer. Perhaps they happened to be out of +ammunition. There are several other explanations, but in my opinion the +most probable is the natural meanness of certain dusky bucks; just as +your able tramp refuses to do a lick of work, while he'll walk twenty +miles for nothing," smiled the other. + +"There comes Reddy back. Perhaps he knows more about it now," said +Frank, who was decidedly interested in the enigma. + +They waited until the cowboy joined the circle about the tree. + +"Boats, Reddy?" asked Mr. Mabie. + +"Three. Must have carried around the falls without our knowing it. Hung +about here, waiting to steal something from our camp. Had a snare set +for jack-rabbits. Saw some torn skins in the camp," was what the cowboy +replied, in his jerky way. + +"Oh! Then I guess they must have been here before we came, and all you +say makes me believe I was right. They have no arms, or else their +powder and shot have run out; and for some reason they are afraid to +meet whites. Well, the elk's gone, and we can't mend that. Let's return +to camp. You have the tail to show for your little adventure, my lad." + +"Yes, sir; and the memory of it all, which will haunt me for a good long +time," said Bluff, with a shake of his head, as he contemplated the +historic tree around which he had done a little Marathon. + +"But I mean to get a picture of this tree, anyhow, just to remind Bluff +how valuable a good pair of sprinting legs may be sometimes," laughed +Will. + +And he did, with Bluff standing alongside; for once the official +photographer demanded a pose, he was bound to get it, or throw up his +job, for such was the law of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + +Then they retraced their steps to the camp, Frank more than usually +thoughtful, for anything in the shape of a mystery always set him to +puzzling, and he more than once wondered whether they would ever learn +just why those Crees stole the elk Bluff had downed after so much +trouble. + +"How many did there seem to be?" he asked Reddy, a little later. + +"You mean of the thieving reds? I counted nine in all, four bucks, two +squaws and three pappooses," replied the other. + +"But if I understand rightly, these Indians never take their families +when they go on the war-path. Is that so, Reddy?" Frank asked quickly. + +"Say, get that notion out of your head right away. They ain't no Crees +lookin' for trouble these days. My idea is just this: This is a family +travelin' acrost country, for some reason or other. P'raps they got +kicked out of their pesky old village. I've knowed such things to +happen. Then they run short of meat, and didn't have guns or powder. +Under such conditions any redman would steal." + +"Well, who could blame them, with women and children to feed? I guess +you hit the nail on the head that time, Reddy. Glad to think that way, +too. We can spare the elk, and it will spur Bluff on to other hunting +deeds. He's had a taste now, and the fever will work on him." + +Meanwhile, Jerry had started his fishing below the cataract. There were +places just at the end of the foam-splashed outlet of the big pool where +they had seen noble trout jumping, and it was here he dropped his flies. + +After trying them a short time, and ascertaining that the trout paid +little attention to the feathery lure, practical Jerry actually +descended to the plebian angleworm, though he blushed when Frank came +over to watch him. + +"Got to have some for supper, you know," he remarked. "Now, if I was +only doing this thing for the sport, nothing could tempt me to use live +bait. I'm at it in the strict commercial sense this time." + +"I understand; and Jerry, let me tell you, the sportsman who, when +trout-hungry, refuses to go back to first principles, and use grubs and +worms after the fish refuse the fly, is to be pitied, that's all," +laughed Frank. + +"Hey! That's a dandy, all right! See him jump, will you? Wow! He's all +of two pounds, and as strong as an ox! I hope the leader holds. It's +been frayed some by rubbing over rocks in the past. Please pick up that +landing-net and attend to the beauty, if I can coax him close enough, +Frank." + +Frank landed not only that beauty, but several more, ere he wandered off +to do something else. Jerry kept on fishing until he could not get +another bite, by which time he had quite a nice string of the speckled +beauties. + +"Perhaps enough for a decent meal; though if Bluff develops his usual +appetite, the rest of us would go hungry. I wonder if a fellow mightn't +have some luck up above the falls? Guess I'll make a shift to try," he +said to himself. + +The last view he had of the camp showed him Reddy amusing Bluff by +making flying tosses of his rope and lassoing all sorts of objects, from +the hat on the head of the admiring witness, to something tossed up in +the air. + +Jerry labored up the hillside until he finally came to where he could +look down at the water as it shot over the edge. It fell with a great +deal of noise, striking the rocks below in many places with terrific +force. + +"Ugh! It would just about bang a fellow to pieces to drop over there," +he remarked, commencing to move upstream, looking for a promising place +to begin his fishing operations. + +Presently he discovered a log that jutted out over the swift current. +From this outlook he believed he could allow his bait to float down into +an eddy that looked as though it might be the home of a big hermit +trout. + +Jerry tested the log as he cautiously advanced. He realized that he was +taking some chances in creeping out to its furthest end, but so far as +he could ascertain it seemed to be firm enough. + +Straddling the log, he started to get his baited hook in motion. The +wriggling worms sank a little in the swirl. At first, he was unable to +just master the difficult problem of how to influence the bait to float +into the eddy. Twice he failed to accomplish this, but studying the +rushing stream a little, he fancied that by a certain throw in the start +he could gain his end. + +Sure enough, it worked, and like a charm. The baited hook was drawn back +into the foam-flecked eddy, and he saw it vanish from view. Then came a +most tremendous jerk, that almost caused him to lose his balance and +the log to quiver, with sickening possibilities. + +But Jerry glued his legs against the sides, just as he had been told to +do with a refractory pony, and managed to recover his balance. The trout +was a gamey one, and the swiftness of the current made the task of +securing him doubly hard. + +"I'll work, all right, for everything I hook here," panted Jerry, after +ten minutes had passed, and he tossed his exhausted prize over to the +bank. + +But he would not give up. Where one such fine, fat fellow held out there +was certainly a chance for more, so he continued his fishing. + +Unknown to him, Will had also wandered up that steep hillside, searching +for a new view of the wonderful cataract. Pushing through the dense +thickets, he chanced to catch a glimpse of the lone fisherman. + +"Now, that's what I call a picturesque sight! Look at the chap perched +out on the very end of that log, with the water rushing below like a +mill-race! Here's where I get you, my duck. Fancy to what ends a +fisherman will go in order to enjoy his favorite sport." + +Will seemed to forget entirely that he was willing to undertake just as +long a pilgrimage and buck up against as difficult problems simply to +get one snapshot that appealed to his soul. + +"There! He's got another fish on! My! How it pulls! I wouldn't be out on +that log, doing such a job, for anything. But I just bet Jerry is as +happy as a clam. He sets his teeth, and holds on as if he had a whale, +and perhaps it is a big un! I must get him again in that position. Why, +although he don't know it, he's just giving me the best thing of the +day!" + +Will rapidly adjusted his camera, and looked down to see that he had the +proper focus before snapping the shutter. The light was good up there, +and he believed he must have the greatest success with such a picture as +that. Besides, it had the genuine article of life in it, which he always +sought in taking his views. + +Then he pressed his finger, in the belief that he was about to snatch a +snapshot bound to give the four chums the keenest satisfaction in days +to come. + +"Oh!" + +The startled exclamation broke involuntarily from the lips of Will even +at the very second he took his picture, and he let his beloved camera +fall to the ground, at the risk of doing it some material damage. + +It was not this seeming mishap that had brought the startled cry from +his lips, but the crash of sundering wood, and the sudden disappearance +of the lone fisherman below the rim of the river bank; for the log had +finally betrayed Jerry, and dropped him into that swirling, maddening +current above the high falls! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +AN INVADER IN CAMP + + +Will dashed madly toward the river bank. It happened that he was +somewhat below the point where Jerry's mishap had come about. Hence, he +was able to reach the edge of the stream in a dozen seconds. + +Even that short time had been enough to sweep the imperiled lad past the +place. Will was thrilled with horror to see his chum in the midst of the +churning current, trying to cling to a slippery rock, from which +insecure hold he was being gradually but surely sucked by the fierce +power exerted by the rushing stream. + +Never had the roar of the falls sounded more terrible to poor Will than +when he saw Jerry suspended, as it were, above the great drop. Once he +lost his hold, he must be swept irresistibly over the edge, down to +those cruel rocks below. + +Will would have foolishly attempted to reach his chum had he chanced to +be opposite the place where Jerry hung on with the desperation of +despair. As it was, he could do nothing, which was just as well, for +there must only have been two of them given over to the river once he +ventured into that mill-race. + +"Help! Oh, help!" he shrieked. + +The roar of the cataract must have muffled his call, so that it might +just as well have been a whisper. + +Just as Will was about to give up in despair, and count Jerry as good as +lost, he made a sudden discovery. Another figure had appeared on the +bank, and just at a point opposite the rock to which Jerry clung. + +"Reddy! Save him! save him!" cried Will, wringing his hands. + +Then he became mute with suspense. The cowboy did not recklessly rush +into the boiling flood, for he knew only too well that such a course +could not help the imperiled one. Instead, Will saw him whirling his +rope about his head with lightning-like haste. + +His heart in his eyes, Will continued to stare, holding his very breath. +He saw the coils of rope fly out just as when Reddy was giving his +exhibition in camp. Not far did they have to speed, for Jerry was close +to the shore. + +"Oh! what luck! He's done it! He's done it! Jerry has the rope now, and +he is coming in, hand over hand! Bully! bully! bully!" + +Will was so excited that he fairly danced up and down as he shouted +these words aloud. Then, bethinking himself of what a magnificent +picture he was losing, he took several steps in the direction of the +spot where his camera lay. Stopping hastily, as his affection for his +chum more than counterbalanced his love for an effective scene, he +turned around and hurried to join the others. + +Jerry was ashore, and wringing the hand of Reddy, when Will arrived. + +Regardless of the rescued boy's wet clothes, Will threw his arms around +him. + +"Oh! you gave me such a fright, Jerry! I'm quivering all over! How lucky +Reddy happened to be here, and with his rope, too!" After saying which +he turned his attention to the smiling cowboy, and squeezed his hand +ardently. + +"I sure beat my record that time, boys. I've roped some queer things, +but never a feller that was going whoopin' over a falls. Don't know why +I slung the old lariat over my arm when I started up here to see what +luck Jerry had. Mighty glad now I did, though. It'd been purty hard to +get him out with only a stick to stretch over." + +Reddy was extremely modest, and only too willingly agreed not to say a +word about the mishap and rescue to any of the others; and Will was also +bound to secrecy by Jerry. + +Back in the woods they made a fire, where Jerry succeeded in drying his +clothes. + +"Anyhow, I saved that fish," he announced, with a satisfied shake of the +head. + +Will looked at the cowboy inquiringly. + +"Sure thing he did. When he came ashore he had that line fast in his +hand, and pulled the trout in before he'd even shake. He's a real sport, +all right," said Reddy, with admiration in his manner. + +"It seems as though these things are born in one. Now, I'd have dropped +my rod the very first thing, and howled for help," remarked Will. + +"How about your camera?" asked Jerry wickedly. + +"H'm! That's a different thing. But when I saw you go in I did let that +fall. Luckily, no damage was done. My heart would be broken if the +blessed little black box got out of shape. But I've one picture of you +on that log," announced Will. + +"And that will be enough to give me a clammy feeling every time I look +at it," nodded Jerry, who was in secret more shaken by his recent +terrible experience than he cared to show. + +They went down a little later, Jerry carrying his two dearly-earned +trout. And when the others praised the fisherman that evening at supper +for supplying their camp table, they little dreamed how near their +hard-working chum had come to disaster in his efforts to land the +enticing finny beauties of the river. + +Besides the trout, they enjoyed mutton that night, for Frank's mountain +sheep was brought into use. Perhaps it was tough, perhaps the flavor did +not strike the boys quite as favorably as some mutton they had eaten at +home, but such trifles could not dampen their enthusiasm a particle, and +they voted the meal a grand success all around. + +Seated about the blaze afterward, they chatted until late. Bluff was +inclined to be a bit moody, and sat by himself, listening to all that +was said, but taking no share in the conversation. + +Frank noticed that he seemed to fondle his rifle more than usual, and he +believed the other must be thinking of the elk he had shot, but which +had been stolen by those wandering thieves of Crees. + +"He's still worrying about that butcher knife of his," whispered Jerry, +nudging Frank as he spoke. "I wonder will the fellow ever forget it?" + +"Now, I was watching him, and, to tell the truth, I fancy Bluff has +become aroused to the delight of bringing down big game. That elk was a +revelation to him. See how he listens while Billy is telling of the +panther tracks he saw not a great way off. I wouldn't put it past Bluff +to aspire to knocking over a panther if the chance ever came his way. + +"Huh! I hope he is lucky enough to get a fatal shot in, then; for one of +those gentry is apt to maul a fellow good and hard if only wounded. +Billy has been telling of some fierce times he's had with the beasts. +His arms are all scarred up from deep cuts made by the claws of a +panther years ago," remarked Jerry. + +"Whew! Hear what he says? will you?" remarked Frank. + +"Why, yes, kid," observed the old cowboy, in answer to a question Bluff +had put, "sometimes I've knowed 'em to jump into a camp and snatch the +meat right from under the nose of a feller. Let a painter git good an' +hungry, an' he ain't afraid of anythin' but fire. Then, ag'in, I've +knowed 'em to act as cowardly as coyotes. I kinder reckon the season has +considerable to do with their actin'." + +"But that was only one man. The beast wouldn't dare jump in a camp like +this, no matter how hungry he might be?" continued Bluff, who seemed +strangely interested in the subject, Frank thought. + +The old cowpuncher laughed as though amused. + +"That's somethin' I'd hate to commit myself on, younker. All I say is a +painter ain't to be depended on. He might prove a coward, like some +cats, and again you'd be fair astonished at his darin'. Long ago I made +up my mind never to give him more of a chance than I could help. It's +war to the knife between me and any such prowlin' critter. I can't git +my gun workin' too quick to please me when I sees the yaller eyes of a +painter hoverin' round my camp." + +"Are their eyes always yellow?" asked Bluff eagerly. + +"I reckons they are, kid; leastways all that I ever see was marked that +way," replied the cowboy, reaching out for a brand with which to light +the cigarette he had been rolling between his fingers, just as Reddy was +also doing at the time. + +"Like those yonder, do you mean?" said Bluff, pointing behind Billy, to +a point where the dense thicket came close to the border of the camp. + +Every eye was instantly turned in that direction. Frank himself was +thrilled when he discovered that there were twin glowing eyes among +those bushes, eyes that had all the attributes of the cat tribe. + +Various exclamations arose from the group. + +"By gum! It's a painter, sure as you live!" said Billy calmly. + +"Never heard of one so bold!" whispered Reddy hoarsely, feeling for the +weapon he usually carried attached to his belt. + +"Everybody sit quiet, and see what he means to do. He won't attack us, +but it may be you'll see him make a jump for the balance of that sheep +over yonder. The scent of the game has aroused his hunger. Look at him +raise his head to see!" + +Mr. Mabie spoke these words in a low but tense tone. He was more or less +excited by the strange actions of the prowling panther. + +"I reckon it's a mother, with hungry cubs near by. She's just bound to +get some grub for the kits, men or no men. Now, if you lie low, and +watch, I reckon you'll see something you never expected to see in your +born days." + +Billy sat there motionless. Only Frank saw the movement of Bluff when he +raised his rifle, and while he would have warned his chum against the +folly of firing, before he could frame words to carry his meaning, the +quick report came, causing a sensation among those around the fire. + +The crouching beast, infuriated by receiving a sudden, painful wound, +launched straight out, and landed in the midst of the campers! + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE COWBOY GUIDE + + +Everybody was in motion at once. + +Some went over backward, regardless of appearances; others rolled aside, +bent upon placing some little distance between themselves and the +invader. Bluff was trying to work the mechanism of his gun in order to +secure a second shot, but as so often happens when the hunter is +excited, he failed to accomplish what should have been an easy change. + +The maddened panther had crouched again after landing close to the fire. +Perhaps what acted more than anything else to keep the beast from +leaping once more was the uncertainty of choosing among so many which he +should attack. If he only knew from whence had come that sting which had +given him such sudden agony there would have been no hesitation at all. + +One, however, did not join in the almost universal retreat. This man was +Reddy. He had been leaning forward at the time, as stated, about to +pick up a brand with which to light his cigarette. Some impulse urged +him to seize a flaming, heavy stick that stuck out of the fire, and make +a frantic attack upon the crouching panther. + +Frank never forgot that spectacle. The panther, with ears flattened +back, and fangs exposed, snarled and carried on just like a big house +cat when assailed by a small but saucy dog, striking out from time to +time, as though trying to reach the arm that wielded the cudgel. + +The flaming brand caused too much fear to allow of an attack. Still, the +ugly beast would not give way, and leap out of its perilous position. + +"Where's my gun?" At least three different shouts arose. + +"Get out of range there, kid!" bellowed Billy, who had drawn a heavy +revolver, and, on hands and knees, sought to get a line on the common +enemy. + +"But that's my panther!" cried the voice of Bluff. + +Frank saw him once more bring his rifle up to his shoulder. Although +hardly in a position to see what was going on, Will seemed to be +fumbling with something in a desperate fashion. The fellow, as usual, +was thinking only of what a grand thing it would be if he could only +get that scene for posterity to gaze upon. + +"I hope Bluff aims straight!" Frank was saying to himself, for he knew +there was more or less danger of the bullet doing some damage to one of +the campers who might happen to be on the other side, partly screened by +the brush. + +The crash of the gun followed. + +"Wow!" shouted Reddy, falling back as the panther tumbled over in his +direction, for he knew what damage those poisonous claws might do in the +dying agony of the beast. + +Then the rest of the scattered company appeared. Some crawled out from +the brush, others arose from flattening themselves on the ground, while +still another group made their exit from under the canvas of the tent +close by. + +The beast was writhing in its last hold on life. + +"That's my panther, I told you!" said Bluff, jumping to his feet, and +still holding on to his gun. + +He was as white as a ghost, but a fire shone in his eyes telling of the +spirit that had finally been aroused there. Jerry would soon have to +look to his laurels now. + +Mr. Mabie laughed as he patted Bluff on the back. + +"I reckon it is, youngster; but you took big chances that time. I'd +advise you to slow up a bit in the future, when shooting in the dark. +That impetuous nature will sure get you into more than one scrape, +otherwise," he said soberly. + +Bluff hung his head. He knew now that he had been too hasty, when there +were so many older campaigners than himself around; but the loss of that +elk had rankled in his heart, so that he could not resist the sudden +temptation to redeem his reputation. + +Jerry, for once, had nothing to say, at least to the successful one. He +bent over the dead panther, and examined it with curiosity. Will was +loudly lamenting the fact that once again he had found himself left in +the lurch. + +"You fellows move too fast," he declared. "Now, if Bluff hadn't put in +his oar, I was just about ready to shoot off a flashlight picture. Just +think what it would mean to see Reddy, here, banging that big cat over +the head with his torch! Oh! it's just too mean for any use! Everything +goes wrong just when I'm going to squeeze my bulb, and get the best +picture there ever was! Even a rotten old log has to go and break off +short--" + +"Hey, Will! Let up on that whining, won't you?" cried Jerry, just then, +fearful lest his secret was about to come out. + +Frank looked suspiciously at both his chums. Perhaps he may have +entertained a dim thought that there was something between them that +they did not want known; but other things soon put this out of his mind +for the time being. + +"We must keep an eye out the rest of the time we're here," said Billy, +after the company had settled down again around the fire. + +"Why?" asked Bluff, looking up from admiring the sleek fur of his prize. + +"The brutes often hunt in couples, you know. This was the mother, just +as I had an ijee, and she's got half-grown cubs around somewhere. If the +mate's near by he may give us a call sooner or later." + +Bluff's hand had stolen out toward his gun at these words. + +"Here! No more of that, my lad!" said Mr. Mabie. "You've had your fling, +and come out of it mighty lucky. Don't try it again while I'm around, +please. If any more uninvited visitors drop in, you leave them to the +rest of us." + +But there was no further alarm. During the night some of them declared +they heard strange cries off in the woods, which Mr. Mabie said must +have been the whining of the panther cubs, looking in vain for their +mother. + +Frank was distressed. + +"I hope they're really big enough to forage for themselves. If there's +anything I dislike it's to shoot bird or beast that has young depending +upon it. Perhaps the old male may look after them," he suggested. + +"Well," smiled Mr. Mabie, "I hardly think that will prove to be the +case; at least they don't, as a rule. But I've got an idea the cubs are +of a good size, and can find some means of subsisting. For my part, I +wouldn't care if every panther in the Northwest were rubbed out. I've no +love for the sly beasts. They've robbed me of more than one fine calf, I +can tell you." + +After breakfast a hunt was organized. + +"We ought to get an elk before leaving up here," said the stockman as +they prepared to go forth again in a squad; "and as this will be our +last day in camp by the falls, we must look sharp." + +"Then we make tracks to-morrow?" asked Frank. + +"Hardly that, since we go by water. You've seen the three bullboats +yonder. We send our tents and all other things around with the horses, +while we shoot the rapids, and enjoy the most exhilarating boat ride you +ever dreamed of. Just wait and see, boys. It will be something worth +while." + +After all, the stockman was unable to start out with them. He was +subject to attacks of rheumatism, due to his age, and many exposures in +the past. When one of these came on Mr. Mabie was unable to walk any +distance, and, unfortunately, he experienced such an attack that +morning. + +"Sorry, boys, but it can't be helped. Reddy, here, will have to take my +place. You don't need me, that's plain. Only don't be too reckless, now. +That's the fault with most youngsters," and he shook his head at Bluff, +who turned fiery red as his eyes fell upon the panther, which Billy was +skinning at that moment. + +Of course, Reddy was to act as guide to the party. He had been around +the vicinity a number of times. Besides, he knew the habits of the elk, +which used this valley for their feeding grounds, and if any one could +lead them to success in their hunt it was the young cowboy. + +Frank used to look at Reddy, and wonder if he had ever seen him before; +but as that was out of the question, he came to the belief that it was +simply a matter of resemblance. + +"Look there!" exclaimed the guide, before they had gone two hundred +steps from the camp, and pointing as he spoke. + +"What was it?" asked Jerry eagerly. + +"I saw a gray critter slinking away into that thicket!" + +"The panther's mate!" cried Bluff excitedly, as he fingered his gun. + +"I reckon it was; but we ain't lost no panther, and anyhow, this is a +hunt for elk meat. Come along, boys," remarked Reddy hastily. + +They tramped for half an hour steadily, going far beyond where Bluff had +had his strange adventure with the wounded elk. Will trailed along in +the rear, holding on to his beloved camera. The woods looked as though +the recent dry weather had seared the leaves more or less, but they +lacked the splendid gorgeous tints of autumn. + +More than once the others had to wait for the straggler, or else call to +him. He grew so interested in his surroundings, especially when trying +to get a view that particularly appealed to his fancy, that he was apt +to forget their mission entirely. + +Once he aroused himself to the fact that he could no longer see his +comrades, or catch a sound of their voices. This disagreeable idea +caused him to hurry, and no doubt he became less cautious in navigating +some of the various narrow paths, for before he realized that he had +started a small avalanche, he was caught up in its gathering swoop, and +found himself being carried swiftly down a rather steep declivity, +unable to stay his rush. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +IN THE RAPIDS + + +"Give him another call, Frank!" + +"That fellow beats all creation for lagging! I believe he'd rather snap +off his old camera than eat, any day. If he doesn't look out, that +panther may get--Glory to goodness! What's that, Reddy?" cried Jerry. + +"Sounds like a bit of an avalanche, though this here is a queer time of +year for that. Generally comes, you know, in snow time, or when the +rains arrive," was the cowboy's ready answer. + +"But--Will--he may have started it, and gone down into one of these +beastly holes!" observed Bluff uneasily. + +"Let's go back, fellows, and make sure," remarked Frank instantly. + +They retraced their steps, Reddy leading the way, and every one on the +lookout for any signs of an unusual happening. + +"There's where it fell, and it looks like quite a lot of stuff had gone +down the slope," said their guide presently. + +"Hello, Will! Will!" shouted Frank. + +"Well, I'm waiting for you," said a quiet voice close at hand. + +"Where in the world are you, pard?" burst out Jerry. + +"Oh, here," came the reply. + +"Ginger! I believe he's down the bank!" cried Bluff. + +"Just what he is! Come here, fellows! Did you ever see anything to beat +that? Talk to me about your lucky dogs! Here's one that takes the cake +every time!" sang out Jerry, as he thrust his head out beyond the edge +of the platform where the slope began. + +"Oh, I don't know. There have been cases where people have been saved +from all sorts of disasters by the fortunate presence of a rope. Chuck +us a loop, Reddy, will you, please?" said Will, and Jerry became as dumb +as an oyster. + +No wonder Frank laughed, even while he watched the cowboy dropping his +lariat down as the other so coolly requested. Will had slid some twenty +feet down the steep bank, along with the loose surface stuff, which +gathered force as it proceeded. Then a projecting stone had caught the +bag of his coat, and he was supported in this fashion by the stout +fabric. + +"What are you trying to do down there? Expect to cut me out of my job as +the cliff climber of the party?" asked Frank jokingly. + +"Not so that you'd notice. Thought I might get a better view down along +here. But first of all, save my precious camera, before I consent to +come up," answered Will, and he insisted upon fastening the same to the +dangling rope. + +Bluff saw his chance to get back at his chum for more than one indignity +along the same line that he had suffered in the past, so he called out: + +"Here, you! Just hold your horses! I'm going over yonder and strike you +off as you hang there. It will do to amuse the girls when we get home. +We don't often have a chance to bring the photographer into these +pictures. Now, here you are. Look pleasant! There! That job's done! Now +yank him up, fellows, and don't be too easy with him. He deserves a good +digging for scaring us so." + +But Will had suffered no material harm from his little slide. + +"Glad I stopped part way," he observed, looking down, "for it's quite +some distance to the bottom, and then those rocks would have bruised me +more than a little. Yes, I agree with Bluff, there; it's better to be +born lucky than rich." + +After that they saw to it that Will did not lag behind. He was not to be +trusted any more than could be helped. + +Reddy was as good as his word. He eventually brought them within sight +of several feeding elk. They carried out his further directions to the +letter, and were thus enabled to approach within easy gunshot of the +unsuspicious animals. + +A program had been arranged, and every one knew just what part in it he +was expected to play. Consequently, there was no confusion. Frank, Jerry +and Bluff had their chance to aim. To each was assigned a different +quarry, though after the first shot they were to fire as they pleased. + +"Ready?" whispered the master of ceremonies, after Will had performed +his little, necessary operation with his camera that would produce happy +results. + +"Yes," said Frank. + +"Ditto!" from Jerry. + +"Same here," came from Bluff. + +"Then go!" + +There followed a crash of firearms. Instantly confusion broke out among +the little herd of feeding elk. One was down, another went limping off, +to fall as Frank sent in a second hasty shot; while the balance fairly +flew off in their fright. + +"Hurrah!" shouted the hunters, as they saw that they had met with +splendid success, since two of the big animals had fallen to their guns. + +Bluff looked grimly disappointed. + +"I hit my buck, for I saw him go down on his knees," he asserted +moodily. + +"Oh, that ain't anything. An elk often runs off with several bad wounds. +I only hope he don't die in the woods somewhere," said Reddy, examining +the tracks of those that had escaped. + +"Will it pay us to follow them up and see if Bluff's buck fell?" asked +Frank, more to please his chum than because they needed the game. + +"Nope. The buck runs like he wasn't even hurt much. No ketchin' up with +them fellers after that riot call. We'd best pay attention to what we've +got, and return to camp," replied the guide; and Bluff shrugged his +shoulders, saying: + +"But I hit him, anyhow, I'll tell you that, fellows." + +Frank found that all Reddy meant to do was to hang the two elk up, after +they had cut some choice portions for immediate use. The other cowboys +would come with the horses, on their way down the river, on the morrow, +and secure the game. + +"We got fooled out of elk steaks once and don't mean to again, I tell +you," said Jerry, as he shouldered his portion of the load. + +So they returned to camp. + +"What's this?" said Mr. Mabie as they came filing in. "Back already, and +only out two hours? Got some meat, too, I see. That's good. Such +appetites as you boys are developing threaten to eat us out of house and +home soon, unless we eke out with game. Who cut up the elk?" + +"The boys all took a hand. They wanted to learn," smiled Reddy. + +"I kind of thought they had," nodded the stockman, who could easily see +that it was not the work of an experienced hand. + +Bluff failed to catch the twinkle of humor in the other's eyes. + +"Yes, and I could have made even a better job if I'd had the knife along +I foolishly went and left at home," he remarked disconsolately, whereat +Jerry, Will and Frank exchanged looks, and shrugged their shoulders, but +said nothing; for in a case of that kind words are useless. + +They were all very enthusiastic that night over the feast. The cook had +dutifully pounded the steaks before placing the same on the fire, so +that if they seemed tough it was not his fault. + +The meat, however, was sweet and tasty; and besides, with hunger serving +as the best-known sauce, who could complain? + +Bluff kept on the lookout for the mate of his panther, but if the old +fellow was prowling around he had more discretion than to show himself +while these hunters were near by. + +With the morning the camp was to be abandoned. Tents came down while +they were eating breakfast, and everything was packed away in as small a +compass as possible, for carrying on the backs of the pack horses, which +were brought in from the pen, or corral, where they had been kept all +this while, in charge of a guard. + +The three bullboats awaited the adventurous ones. These were of the type +much used in this far region of the Northwest, being fashioned of tough +hides of bulls, and impervious to water. + +Besides their guns, which were strapped to their backs, the voyagers +carried little or nothing. In case of an upset they did not stand to +worry over anything except saving their own lives. + +So they quitted the camp under the cataract, where they had spent +several very enjoyable days. + + [Illustration: IMMEDIATELY THE TWO ADVENTUROUS CRUISERS WERE IN THE + RAPIDS.--_Page 141_. + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_.] + +Swiftly they descended the stream for several miles. Then, according to +agreement, they hauled in at the head of the rapids for a little rest +and consultation before making the riffle. + +Will had declared his intention of going down the shore and taking up +his position about midway of the drop, so as to snap off the two +descending bullboats as they came flying along in the midst of the +churning water. Afterward he and Mr. Mabie would enter the last boat and +make the plunge. + +When he was ready, with his camera focused, he waved his arm as a +signal. Immediately one of the boats started forth, containing Bluff and +Reddy. When they got fully into the swirl the second craft appeared in +sight. + +Jerry sat in the bow of this, and Frank in the stern, the more +responsible position. Immediately the two adventurous cruisers were in +the rapids, and shooting down with incredible swiftness. + +The leading boat managed to pull through all right, for Reddy knew the +route; but disaster awaited that containing the two chums. Whether they +struck a half-submerged rock, and were capsized, or made a +miscalculation, and found themselves seized by the cross-current, no one +ever knew. + +"Look out!" shouted Jerry, and the next instant both he and Frank were +overboard, and trying to keep away from the threatening snags while they +went whirling down the rapids. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE NEW CAMP + + +"Well, how did you like it, Jerry?" + +"Talk to me about your shooting the whirlpool at Niagara in a barrel! +That was bad enough for me! I swallowed enough water to float a ship! +And here we are yet, each perched on a measly old slippery rock, in the +middle of the rapids. Say! tell me about that, will you, Frank? How are +we going to get ashore?" + +The situation was comical as well as tragical. Just as Jerry said, each +of the late inmates of the overturned bullboat, after being buffeted +about furiously for several minutes, had succeeded in wildly scrambling +on to an exposed rock. + +There in midstream they sat, dripping wet, and with the foaming water +surrounding them on all sides. In spite of his recent scare, Frank could +not help laughing. + +"What ails you? Perhaps you think I look funny?" exclaimed Jerry, who +had received a few bruises, and was not feeling quite as cheerful as +usual. + +"Well, if you could only see yourself just now, you couldn't help +laughing. Do you know you just put me in mind of that little god of good +luck, Billikin!" called Frank, and in spite of his soreness Jerry had to +grin in sympathy. + +"Well, all right, then; there are two of us, and I guess you look as +silly as I do. But there's that fellow, Will, getting his work in, as +usual. A nice pair of geese we'll look like in his book of martyrs." + +"Oh, that doesn't bother me one little bit just now. All I'm thinking +about is how under the sun we're going to get out of this pickle," said +Frank, sweeping his hand around, as if to call attention to the angry +water that leaped and boiled in a frenzy of eagerness to get at its +expected victims. + +"Can't swim to the shore, that's sure. I suppose we'll just have to slip +in again and make another turn of it. Thank goodness! the bottom of the +old rapids is in sight, and as Bluff and Reddy have picked up our boat +and the paddle, they could turn their hands at life saving when we came +bobbing along." + +"Hold on! Don't be rash, Jerry!" called Frank. + +"Well, have you got anything better to say about it--any bright scheme +to propose that offers to soften the blow?" demanded the other, pausing +in his movement toward slipping off his unstable seat. + +"I've just thought of something," answered Frank. + +"Good for you, then. I guess I'm too badly rattled just now, for once, +to do much thinking. What's the game, Frank?" + +"Why not let Reddy and his reliable old rope come into play again?" + +"Say! we'll have to beg or buy that clothesline from Reddy when we go +away from here, and hang it up in our clubroom, as the most valuable +asset we have. Without it what would become of us, eh? Talk about your +trained nurses! That fellow is a whole hospital to the tenderfoot crowd. +Call to him, please, and enlist his sympathy in the noble cause of +yanking us in out of the wet." + +So Frank did shout to the cowboy, who, having beached the two boats +below the rapids, was hurrying up the shore. Mr. Mabie, too, had joined +Will, so that presently the entire balance of the little party had +gathered opposite. + +Reddy entered into the game with spirit. He seemed to believe that these +tragic occurrences must have just happened to give him a chance to show +his skill in launching his rope. + +"Jerry first, please!" called Frank. + +"And why? Is it because I'm more valuable, or better-looking?" demanded +Jerry. + +"Oh, perhaps I want the pleasure of seeing how you look as you flounder +through the rapids; and then, again, I may pick up a few points as to +how _not_ to do it." + +"Tell me about that, will you! Some people have all the nerve!" shouted +Jerry, for the rushing water made so much noise that an ordinary call +could not have been heard. + +Nevertheless, he accepted the flying noose that came shooting straight +toward him, placed it under his arms, made sure that his gun was still +fast to his back, and then fearlessly dropped off his perch. + +There was considerable floundering on the part of the swimmer, much +straining among the others who manipulated the rope, after which Jerry +was assisted up the bank. His first act, after coughing up a lot of +water, was to shake his fist at the grinning Frank, and then call out: + +"Now you come on, and see how you like it!" + +Frank did not wait upon the order of his going. As soon as he had the +rope secured under his arms he slipped down into the foamy water, and +began to buffet the current like a water spaniel. + +After an exciting experience he, too, was drawn ashore, really none the +worse for his adventure. + +"Shake hands, Frank. You did nobly. I might have laughed, only I didn't +seem to have breath enough," said Jerry, but the look in his eyes told +how he had enjoyed seeing his chum passing through the same experience. + +A fire was made, so that the soaked ones might dry off. Meanwhile, Mr. +Mabie and Will succeeded in successfully shooting the rapids, though the +latter was wise enough to leave his precious camera in the care of +Bluff. + +As noon found them still there, they took a "snack" before resuming the +water journey. Below the fierce rapids the current was still swift, but +there were places where the stream widened, and here the scenery was +very fine, although the leaves looked more or less parched on account of +the scarcity of rain during the summer that was passing. + +An hour later, and they saw signs of smoke below. + +"The boys have arrived ahead of us," said Mr. Mabie, pointing to the +wreaths that ascended above the trees. + +"All on account of our mishap. We lost three hours that way," remarked +Frank, who felt a little provoked over the accident, since he aspired +to be a capable canoeman at all times. + +"Those things will happen to the best of guides at times," consoled the +stockman. "I've often been in the drink myself. There are some +cross-currents in our rapids, that one can only learn by experience. I +rather expected you would go over, and instructed Reddy to be on the +watch below." + +"I wager I wouldn't get caught in that same way again, sir," asserted +Frank. + +"And I'm sure you wouldn't, lad. Experience is the best teacher, and if +we didn't have some of these bad turns we'd grow too confident." + +The camp was soon looking quite cozy again, when the tents had been +placed and everything made snug. + +"I'm going to like this place almost as well as the one under the +cascade," remarked Will, who had been rather skeptical all along. + +So the first evening came along, and supper was the same hearty, +enjoyable meal they had always found it. The camp appetites worked +overtime, the coffee tasted splendid, the elk steaks were just what each +one had been hungering for, and as the cook supplemented these with a +heaping platter of flapjacks the contentment of the four chums seemed +complete. + +"How long do we stay here, Mr. Mabie?" asked Bluff, never hesitating +when in search of information. + +"Possibly a week or so. Then back to the ranch, and a new line of +experiences. This terribly dry weather is making me anxious, for the +range is drying up, and we shall be hard set to find pasture for the +cattle soon, unless rain comes along." + +"Do you have such a dry spell in summer often up here?" asked Frank. + +"Never saw the equal of this since I settled in the valley, many years +ago. Now, down in Ohio, where I originally came from, they have drouths +even in May, at times, and I've seen things go to the dogs more than +once, gardens dried up, and even a forest fire in July, but never up +here," replied the stockman. + +"The woods look as though it wouldn't take a great deal to set them +going," declared Frank. "One of the men threw a match down to-day, after +lighting his cigarette, and it seemed like magic the way the fire +flashed up. He had to be quick to jump on it before the breeze carried +it along." + +Mr. Mabie frowned. + +"I won't ask you which man it was, Frank; but I must warn them again to +be more than ordinarily careful about throwing matches around and +leaving a fire burning anywhere in the woods. Many a grand forest has +been ruined by such carelessness," he said. + +"How does that happen, sir?" inquired Bluff. + +"It is easy. The careless hunter or trapper leaves his dying fire when +he breaks camp. Then up comes a sudden wind and some of the red cinders +are blown into the dead leaves or punk grass. Fanned by the breeze, they +become a roaring flame in a minute, and the mischief is done. Be +careful, boys, please." + +"We certainly will, sir," replied Frank sincerely. "Not to speak of the +damage done, it must be mighty unpleasant to be caught in a forest fire. +I've read of such things, but never hankered for a personal experience." + +On the following day they started to look into the possibilities for big +game around the new camp. + +"Reddy, here, says he knows of a bear den that we ought to visit some +time later. While at it, you boys must see all there is going in the way +of sport, for you may never come out this way again, though I hope that +will not be the case. To-day, however, we will take things a bit easy," +remarked the ranchman. + +Although the stockman did not speak any plainer, Frank knew just what +he meant. + +"He thinks we must be feeling the effects of our little excitement +yesterday, Jerry, and that the soreness in our muscles will take our +ambition away for to-day," he said aside to his chum. + +"Tell me about that, will you! To prove that we're tougher than Mr. +Mabie thinks, let's you and I engineer a little hunt of our own?" +proposed the other quickly. + +Accordingly, they started out, going down the valley. + +"The walk will do us good, anyhow," declared Frank, "even if we don't +run across any big game." + +"I was asking Mr. Mabie about moose, and he said that occasionally one +is seen in this region, though generally they hang out further east. +I've always wanted to get a moose, but was never able to be up in the +woods where they are found, when the law was off. How about you, Frank? +Ever shoot at one?" + +"Never had that luck, though I've seen many in the summer time, in +Maine. Somehow, it seems to go against the grain doing this hunting at +such a queer time. I guess it won't be long before they have as strict +laws up here as we have to protect such game as deer and elk." + +"How about panthers and grizzlies?" asked Jerry. + +"They don't want to protect those fellows. You've got a right to knock +one over, or a wolf, any time you want, if he doesn't get you first," +laughed Frank. + +An hour later they separated, Frank to look along one ridge, while Jerry +had taken a notion to see what the other might have in the shape of +game. + +Frank spent quite a long time scouring the woods that covered the side +of the valley. He had not put up anything worth while, and was even +thinking about heading back to the place where he had agreed to meet his +chum, when a distressing little accident occurred. + +Just as he was hurrying down a steep bank his foot caught in a vine, and +he was hurled forward with such violence that his head, coming in +contact with the hard ground, received such a blow that he was rendered +unconscious. + +Frank never knew just how long he remained insensible. It might have +been only a few minutes, or perhaps half an hour slipped by while he lay +there. When he finally opened his eyes he looked up into a dusky face, +and realized that it belonged to an Indian! + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AT THE CAMPFIRE OF THE CREES + + +Frank was not at all alarmed. In the first place, he had been assured by +Mr. Mabie that these Crees were not inclined to be hostile. Then, again, +he saw that it was no fierce face of a warrior that bent over him, but +the pitying one of a child. + +"Hello! Who are you?" he asked, a little weakly, for his head was still +swimming more or less from his shock. + +"Little Mink," came the reply, though the boy apparently had to nerve +himself to keep from running away. + +"And you found me knocked out, did you? What are you doing here, Little +Mink?" Frank sat up as he spoke, though he realized that he would be +unsteady on his feet when he tried to stand. + +"Teepee down by river, not far off. Little Mink have snare for rabbit. +Him go see if ketch one, find paleface here. Think dead, then him open +eyes. Good!" + +Frank was amused at the air of the little fellow. He knew something +about the ways of civilized Indians, having been among them in Maine, +hence he could see that this boy was endeavoring to ape the manners of +his elders. + +"Would you help me get down to your camp, Little Mink? I feel weak after +my tumble, and my own camp is far away," he said. + +Now, Frank knew very well that a loud shout would, in all probability, +have fetched Jerry to the spot. He had an object in making this appeal +to the Indian lad, and watched his dusky face closely as the other +considered the proposal. + +Perhaps Frank, fearing a refusal, may have put on more agony than the +state of his feelings really warranted. At any rate, he succeeded in +swerving the boy from a condition of caution to that of sympathy. + +"Little Mink help. Him lead paleface to teepee," he said, and the look +that accompanied the words told Frank as plainly as words could have +done that the boy was trusting in his honor not to betray them. + +Accordingly, he hung on to the lad, and in this fashion they went for +half a mile or so, when the river was reached. Presently Frank +discovered signs of a camp not far in the distance. A little pale smoke +was rising over the thicket, and he also saw a conical skin teepee, +while on the shore were three bullboats. + +As Little Mink came into camp, assisting the white hunter, several +squaws began an excited jabber that brought out a couple of bucks. + +"A hungry-looking lot all around," was the mental comment of the young +hunter. + +He had seen that Little Mink did not look as though he had enjoyed a +bountiful share of food lately, and the rest of the party were certainly +no better off. + +One of the bucks was an old man, yet he seemed to have a certain dignity +about him. Frank's curiosity was now greater than ever. He made up his +mind that there was something singular about this party of Crees who +seemed to be wandering in the wilderness without guns, or any means for +obtaining food, and, if possible, he meant to discover what the secret +could be. + +The old Indian approached, looking suspiciously at him. Frank put out +his hand at once in a cordial manner. + +"How!" he said, smiling in his engaging manner. + +The other at once fell under the charm of Frank's smile. + +"White boy much hurt?" he asked, looking at the dirt and blood on +Frank's left hand, where he had cut himself slightly. + +"No. I had a bad fall, and feel weak. Little Mink found me lying there, +and let me come with him to your camp. I have friends above, a hunting +party under the charge of Mr. Mabie, the stockman." + +He saw the old fellow move uneasily at mention of the name. + +"Shoot elk?" asked the other, nodding. + +"Yes, sometimes, with gun," and Frank purposely held up his repeating +rifle. + +He saw the black eyes glitter enviously at sight of it, which made his +curiosity only the stronger. + +"Bad! bad!" muttered the Indian, though he did not explain what he +meant; but Frank believed he must be thinking of the theft of the elk +some days previous. + +"You no guns here?" he asked, and the old Indian shook his head sadly, +though a look of sudden anger also flitted across his strong face. + +"Nothing, only hatchet and one knife. Take all else away when send us +out from village. No care if squaw and pappoose die from hunger. Bad! +bad! But some day p'raps Running Elk go back and make change. Wait! +wait! No sleep on trail!" + +Already was Frank beginning to see behind the mystery. For some cause +this old brave and his immediate family had been chased out of the Cree +village, many miles to the northwest. Deprived of weapons, they had been +started on the river in the bullboats, to meet what fate had in store +for them. + +No wonder, then, that coming unexpectedly on the dead elk Bluff had +shot, they had stolen it, for hunger stalked in their miserable camp, +and the pappooses cried for the food the braves could not supply. + +The only thing that still puzzled Frank was why they had not appealed to +some of the whites. But there must be some good reason, he argued, for +this. Perhaps it was only the natural pride an Indian feels, and which +prevents him from admitting to the palefaces that he is helpless to +supply the wants of his people. + +"Name Frank," he said, touching his breast "What call you?" + +"Running Elk, chief among Crees. Long he lead them in the hunt and in +battle. But a serpent come among my people and poison all against +Running Elk. Now they think the half-breed Pierre La Motte best man to +follow. Him talk, talk, all time, and warriors dream. Some day they wake +up and know him for bad man. Then p'raps they ask Running Elk come back +again. Wait, see!" + +That was the Indian idea of patience. Frank could understand it all now. +Plainly, a smart half-breed had managed to hypnotize the braves in the +Cree village, and influence them to turn against their own chief. When +he and his family resisted they were ignominiously exiled, and sent +forth to face the world without means for providing food for the squaws +and pappooses. + +Somehow, Frank felt a strong sense of sympathy for the old exiled chief. + +"You see the rancher, Mr. Mabie. I think he can do something for you," +he said. + +"I know him. He no like Running Elk and the Crees. Once they take some +cattle that stampede and wander far away. Never forget or forgive that +wrong. Better not see rancher. Go on down river soon, sell few pelts, +and buy gun. Mebbe all right." + +"No! no! Don't be in a hurry. I'm sure Mr. Mabie won't hold that old +grudge against you now, and he's a good man. He will give you gun and +powder. Wait and see." + +Half an hour later, as he was sitting there, with a rude bandage around +his throbbing head, and talking with Little Mink, who had taken a great +fancy for the paleface hunter who owned the beautiful gun, Frank heard +a startled exclamation from the border of the thicket near by. + +"Hello, there, Jerry! Come in and get acquainted!" he cried out, as his +eyes fell upon the astonished face of his chum thrust from the scrub. + +"Talk to me about surprises! What could equal this? Here, after getting +the scare of my life, thinking my chum had been carried off by the +redskins, I find him hobnobbing with them in their camp. Sure they ain't +dangerous, Frank?" asked Jerry, advancing cautiously, with his gun held +ready. + +"As mild as an old lady's cup of tea. Wouldn't hurt a fly. Sit down, and +I'll tell you all about them," said Frank. + +"First, I want to know are you hurt much? I happened on where you fell, +and just imagine my alarm when I saw the print of little moccasins. Why, +I was sure some frisky red had knocked you over the head with a warclub, +and then toted you off to be burned at the stake. I followed as well as +I could, bent on rescuing you at the peril of my life, to meet up with a +reception like this." + +Frank was compelled to laugh at the look of evident disgust that came +over the countenance of his comrade. + +But when Jerry had heard all his chum knew concerning the little band +of wandering Crees, his generous heart was stirred at the thought of +their wrongs. + +"That greedy half-breed ought to be made to walk the plank, that's what! +Just to think of the nerve of him chasing the genuine dyed-in-the-wool +chief out into the cold and taking his place! Why, he's a usurper, +that's the truth! And look here, Frank, didn't you hear what Mr. Mabie +said about a fellow named Pierre La Motte?" + +"I must have been away at the time. What did he say?" asked Frank +eagerly. + +"Why, there was a detachment of the sheriff's posse at the ranch house +just before we came, looking for that same fellow. Seems that he's +wanted badly for something or other." + +"Hurrah! That's just what I was hoping would happen. We can put them +wise about Pierre, and they'll go after him. Then, perhaps, as old +Running Elk says, when the man with the smooth tongue has gone away +forever, the Crees will send and beg their chief to return, and forgive +the past. It's all right! I'll bring him here to see you." + +But Running Elk had already learned that another stranger was in camp, +and even then he was approaching, looking considerably embarrassed, for +he feared it might be Mr. Mabie himself. + +However, he was soon set at his ease. What Frank had to say about the +bad half-breed also gave him new pleasure. + +"Not wait long now," he said, nodding his head sagely, while his beady +eyes fairly glittered with satisfaction, as in imagination he saw his +hated foe being taken away from the Cree village by the much-feared +sheriff's posse. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AN INVITATION TO COME OUT + + +"About time those boys were showing up, eh, Bluff?" + +"There they come now, Mr. Mabie, and--Jerusalem!" + +"What ails you now?" asked the stockman, coming out of the tent. + +"They've got an old Indian in tow, as sure as you live!" cried Bluff. + +"Where is he? I've just been wanting to get an Indian picture the worst +way. Show him to me, please!" And Will came crawling hastily forth, of +course clutching his beloved camera in his hand. + +"H'm! I guess I know that old buck. It's Running Elk, the chief of the +Crees. Something must have happened out of the usual order," said the +ranchman. + +When he learned what Frank had to say Mr. Mabie proved himself just such +a man as the others had believed him to be. He advanced to the Indian, +who was standing there in stoical silence, with his blanket thrown over +his shoulder, and held out his hand. + +"I'm glad to meet you again, Running Elk, and sorry to hear about your +trouble. But it will soon be all right. I'll see to it that the +authorities learn about Pierre, and they'll get him before long. In the +meantime, I'm going to give you a letter to my foreman. You take your +little party to the ranch, and they'll see to it that you have plenty to +eat until I come back home," he said. + +The chief shook his head sadly. + +"Bad! bad! Young braves no think when kill runaway steers. Never more +can happen after this. Send skins to pay when get um. Glad get meat for +squaw and pappoose." + +That was the extent of his remarks. + +"I guess Injuns ain't got much of a supply of words," remarked Will +aside to Bluff. + +"But he means all right. I like the old chap's looks. Come along, Frank, +and tell us all about it. You look like you've been in a fight. Say! the +reds didn't tackle you, did they?" exclaimed Bluff. + +"One did; a little chap about hip-high. Ho was out trying to snare a +jack-rabbit, when he found me. I'd taken a header down over a root, and +was lying in a state where I didn't care whether school kept or not. He +led me to their camp, and Jerry found me there later. That's all of it +in a nutshell. Now I'm going to have Mr. Mabie wrap up my hand and take +a look at my head, for it still rings." + +After an examination, the ranchman declared that there was nothing +serious the matter. + +"It may take a few days for that lump to subside, and these cuts to +heal, but you came out of it better than an old fellow like me could +have done," he said, and Frank felt relieved. + +"What are you going to do with Running Elk?" he asked. + +"Send him back to his people with some food. Then he will carry this +letter to my foreman, who will look after the party until we get back. +After that I'll see to it that Pierre is taken care of and the chief +recalled to his own." + +"I knew you would. I told the old fellow that, but he was sore afraid +that you could never forgive what his young braves had done a year or +two ago." + +The old Cree chief soon departed, with a grin on his face, and his arms +full of bundles. He might have been proud, but there were hungry mouths +to feed, and for their sakes he must forget that he should die sooner +than beg favors. + +Frank felt rather stiff and sore on the following day. He was satisfied +to hang about camp, and let his chums do the hunting, for once. + +Jerry could not be restrained, for his sporting blood demanded that he +keep going all the while. Will was just as eager to do his style of +shooting, and even wandered down the river to get a view of the Cree +teepee before the family of Running Elk broke camp. + +Bluff took a notion to try fishing, and with considerable success. Later +in the day Frank also wet a line, and between them they managed to +secure a decent mess of fat trout for the whole party. + +When Jerry came in he reported that he had had a shot at an elk, but +failed to stop his flight. He also declared that he had seen what he +believed to be a wolf skulking through the timber. + +"Oh, I don't doubt it," said the old stockman, when Frank looked +questioningly at him. "The pesky critters like to hang around here, +looking for a nice calf that happens to stray away from its mammy's +side. Winter and summer, it's all the same to them, so long as we don't +get after the pack too hot. Never lose a chance to knock over a wolf, my +boy." + +"I never mean to," said Jerry, holding up a piece of gray fur. + +"That's wolf, all right; and look here, what did you do to him?" +demanded Mr. Mabie. + +"I was very kind to the scamp, and hung him up in a tree, where the rest +of his tribe couldn't get at him to tear his hide to pieces. You see, I +had a notion that I'd like to have that skin for a rug, and that later +on, perhaps, one of the boys might go out with me and remove it much +better than I could," grinned Jerry. + +"Thank you, my lad. I feel that you've done me a favor. Every wolf that +goes across the Great Divide means more calves to grow up; and you shall +have your rug, I pledge you my word." + +Mr. Mabie shook the hand of the successful wolf hunter with emphasis, +showing that he felt deeply on the subject. + +Just as he expected, Frank was still rather sore on the following day. +He let the others do the hunting that morning, Will tagging behind the +bunch with his ready camera. + +They came in at noon, having covered some new ground, and brought the +best part of an elk with them. Mr. Mabie laughed, and wished it might +have been an antelope instead. He was not partial to elk meat, which was +perhaps natural in a stockman, who could kill young beef whenever the +spirit moved. + +"How about that bear den, Reddy?" asked Jerry, as they lounged about the +camp in the early afternoon. + +"Any time you say the word. I was only waitin' till Frank felt himself +again," was the other's reply. + +"Oh, don't let my condition keep you from that little entertainment. +Besides, I feel much better now. Perhaps a little excitement might put +me in just the right kind of trim," declared that individual promptly. + +"Hear! hear!" exclaimed Bluff, making a pretense of clapping his hands. + +"Talk to me about your dyed-in-the-wool sportsman! Frank, here, could +give any fellow points," declared Jerry. + +"I understand the principle he works on. It's the same as what they call +homoepathy, that 'like cures like.' I've seen a man, when struck by a +rattler, chase the reptile, kill him, and apply his crushed body to the +wound, in the belief that one poison would counteract the other," said +the stockman. + +"Did it succeed?" asked Jerry, eager for information along these lines. + +"Well," said Mr. Mabie, "the poor chap died, I'm sorry to say. In +another case, the fellow insisted on filling himself up with whiskey. He +lived through it, too, which proved the rule, though I believe there are +better things to save a man than liquor. But Frank has the right idea. +The excitement of the chase will cause him to forget, and take some of +the stiffness out of his joints." + +"Then we go this afternoon?" queried Reddy anxiously. + +"Whenever you're ready," answered Frank. + +They set out within half an hour. Of course, the whole four chums +insisted on being in the party. Besides, there were the guide, Mr. Mabie +and Billy. Each of the cowboys carried his rope, for of late it had +seemed as though a lariat might be a very necessary accompaniment to +these side hunts. + +They headed in a quarter where, as yet, none of the boys had been. This +led them directly into the thickets that lay at the base of the mountain +barrier, stretching away up against the blue heavens. + +None of the chums had forgotten the fierce appearance of the grizzly +that had fallen before the rifle which Jerry wielded so cleverly. + +"Remember, lads," said Mr. Mabie, as they trailed along through rocky +gulches, "every Mountain Charlie isn't going to keel over as easily as +the one Jerry got. He was lucky to send his lead to a vital point. I've +seen veteran hunters shoot a bear a dozen times, and then have to finish +him with a knife." + +"I've always read that they can stand a tremendous amount of shooting +without caving under," admitted Frank. + +"And it isn't considered at all disgraceful, when stirring such a +terrible monster out of his den, for the hunters to post themselves in +trees near by. While at first blush such a procedure might seem silly or +cowardly to you, take an old hunter's advice, and give the rascal no +more chance than you can help. Even then I've known him to shake a +fellow out of a small tree, and only for the assistance of the others he +must have killed the youngster." + +"A grizzly can't climb a tree, then, sir?" questioned Will uneasily. + +"Not ordinarily. He might manage to swarm up if the trunk was inclined +about forty-five degrees. Select straight ones, and of some size; then +you're safe." + +"Thank you, Mr. Mabie. I'll follow your advice. You see, I'm only the +photographer of the club, and they could hardly afford to lose me," +remarked Will, thinking some sort of an apology might be necessary for +his seeming timidity. + +But the others did not laugh. They knew their chum too well for that. He +had proven more than once that when it came to a pinch he could conquer +his natural weakness, and show the right spirit of bravery, especially +if it were one of his comrades who was in peril. + +"Well," remarked Reddy a short time later, "we're close to the place +now." + +"I imagined as much," said Mr. Mabie, with a significant look around. + +"You mean that this is an ideal spot for a grizzly to have his den?" +asked Jerry. + +"Fine. Look at the tumbled-down rocks, making many a cave that affords +shelter from the elements, winter and summer. Then, of course, the old +rascal has a nice short cut through some canyon to the open country. He +uses that when he feels sharp set for veal. Oh, yes, I've no doubt he's +been the cause of many a calf disappearing from the herd," said the +stockman between his teeth. + +"I don't wonder, then, you are so keen at wanting to get rid of all such +neighbors as grizzlies, panthers and wolves. They make an expensive +boarding-house," laughed Bluff. + +"They take their toll right along. This region would be a paradise for +a stockman only for that. The grass is heavy, and while the winters are +severe, we know how to carry our stock over; but we can never calculate +our profits, because of the losses on account of hungry wild beasts." + +"Then I'm glad we came here to get our taste of big-game shooting, for +it will not only be fun for us, but a benefit to civilization," remarked +Bluff, who, being in training to succeed his lawyer father, often liked +to indulge in imposing sentences. + +"Now look over yonder to where that cleft yawns," said Reddy at this +juncture. + +"I see it; and is that the den?" asked Jerry. + +"Sure as you live. You fellows be choosing your trees, and let me take a +peek." + +"He isn't going in, I hope!" exclaimed Will as the cowboy moved away. + +"Well, hardly. Reddy doesn't want to commit suicide just yet. He's only +going to make sure the old chap is at home, then he'll make preparations +to smoke him out." + +As Mr. Mabie said, Reddy was soon back, and from his actions it was +positive the bear was at home. He began collecting dry wood and all +manner of material calculated to make a big smoke. The boys knew +something about such a scheme themselves, and were deeply interested. + +Mr. Mabie insisted that each one seek an asylum in the branches of a +tree that commanded the black cleft. Presently, Reddy had his pile of +wood and brush ready, and he put a match to it, after which he beat a +hasty retreat, climbing into the tree with Frank. + +"Listen!" he said presently. + +Frank could hear a sound like sneezing. This was followed by a +scrambling noise that arose above the crackling of the fire. Then came a +terrific roar, succeeded by a sudden scattering of the brands, and the +enraged grizzly rushed into the open! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A STRANGE DISCLOSURE + + +"Hello, there, Charlie! How's your health?" + +Reddy swung himself down from the limb on which he had been perched, and +kicked out with his feet in such a way that he attracted the attention +of the beast. + +"He's coming! Look out, Frank!" shouted Will, who, secure in his perch, +had, of course, been manipulating his camera with burning zeal. + +Bang! + +It was Bluff who had fired, but if he hit the great beast at all, the +latter minded the wound no more than he would a flea bite. + +Jerry also took a turn as the grizzly passed the tree in which he was +hidden. + +"I hit him!" he whooped as the grizzly gave a snap backward at his +flank. + +But the enticement offered by Reddy's swinging form proved too much for +the enraged animal. Doubtless he imagined that all his troubles came +from that biped or monkey hanging up yonder, just within reach of his +claws if he arose on his hind legs. Hence his eagerness to make the +attempt. + +"Pull up, quick!" exclaimed Frank as the grizzly rushed under the tree +and immediately started to rear up. + +The daring cowboy had held out until the very last second, meaning that +nothing should balk his design of enticing the enemy under their refuge, +where Frank could get in his work. + +Afterward Frank understood his motive. Reddy was especially fond of him, +though he also liked all of the other chums. He believed that Jerry had +secured enough honors in being given the chance to knock over the other +bear, and it was his desire to see Frank even up the score. + +Just in the nick of time the cowboy swung his legs up around the limb. +The horrible claws of the grizzly swept through the air not a foot below +where he had hung. Frank shuddered at the consequences had anything +happened to bring Reddy within reach of such a powerful beast. + +"Now get him, Frank!" gasped the one who hung on with arms and legs. + +Neither Bluff nor Jerry thought to shoot a second time. They seemed to +understand that the game had passed them by, and that it was Frank's +turn. + +When he saw the right chance the young sportsman pulled the trigger. He +had not made any mistake in judging just where he should aim, for with +the report of his rifle the grizzly floundered, and fell over. + +"Wow! That did the business!" shouted Jerry. + +"Hold on, boys! Don't get down yet!" called Mr. Mabie hastily, as he +thought he detected a disposition on the part of either Bluff or Jerry +to drop from their secure perches to the ground. + +It was well they refrained, for already the monster was once more on his +feet, and, roaring with fury, endeavoring to reach the enemies who clung +there so tantalizingly, just beyond his extended claws. + +"Give him another!" cried Reddy promptly. + +Frank did; and wishing to end the beast as quickly as possible, he aimed +to send the lead straight to the heart. But he was compelled to use +every bullet in his six-shot repeater before the giant received his +quietus, and rolled over, to rise no more. + +Frank had a queer feeling as he dropped to the ground and stood over his +big game. Deep down in his heart he envied his chum, because Jerry had +been able to kill _his_ grizzly while the beast was charging him. + +"It may be all right," he said to Mr. Mabie, "and it's a good thing to +get rid of these savage animals in any old way, but I hope I don't take +part in another affair like this. He had no chance, poor old chap." + +The old rancher looked admiringly at the boy. + +"Those sentiments do you proud, lad, and I appreciate them, too; but +business, in my line, must go ahead of sentiment, and this old Charlie +was doing me a bad turn. My herds will rest easier now that he is gone," +he said feelingly. + +Leaving Billy and Reddy to secure the hide of the second grizzly, the +others returned to camp. Restless Jerry tried the fishing again, and as +before, success came his way. + +"I'd give something to have my little _Red Rover_ here, in that swift +water," sighed Bluff, as he and Frank sat on the edge of the bluff, +listening to the rush of the river while it sped on its way to the lower +country. + +"Well, a canoe might be fine for shooting downstream, but I don't +believe you'd find it as safe in the rapids as those hide boats. The +rocks can't smash in their sides, like cedar or canvas craft. Better to +do as the natives do, I find, whenever I go anywhere. They know by +experience what's best," returned Frank wisely. + +"Look there! A cowboy coming like the wind up the river, waving his hat +over his head! Say! d'ye suppose anything's gone wrong at the ranch, and +we'll have to cut our hunt short?" exclaimed Bluff anxiously. + +"Oh, I guess not. You see, those fellows are built that way. They never +can do anything without excitement. See! He's holding up something that +looks like a mail pouch," said Frank composedly. + +"Why, of course that's it! I heard Mr. Mabie say he expected mail +to-day, and, for one, I'll be mighty glad to hear from the folks," +sighed Bluff. + +"What? Not getting homesick already, I hope?" smiled his chum. + +"Certainly not, only a fellow naturally likes to hear from his mom and +dad when he's away so far," declared Bluff stoutly. + +"Yes, and also from some other fellow's sister, in the bargain. Nellie +never finds time to write to me when I'm away, leaving all that to the +old folks; but I notice that you always manage to get a letter in her +handwriting." + +"Well, I made her solemnly promise to write every other day, you see," +explained Bluff, while he suddenly became red in the face, hurrying off +to get his mail. + +There were letters for all the boys. Jerry was called in from his +entrancing sport to receive his share, and Frank noticed that he, too, +had a sweet-looking missive in a schoolgirl hand. Of course, it must be +from Mame Crosby, for Jerry and she were great friends. + +"Here's something enclosed in my letter, and directed to Mr. Frank +Langdon. Does anybody know a fellow by that name?" asked Will, holding +up a delicate envelope that seemed to exhale a fragrance all its own. + +"And sealed, too! What a breach of etiquette!" jeered Jerry. + +"Now, _will_ you be good?" observed Bluff, glad of a chance to return +the favor. + +"That's all right. Possibly Violet wants to make some inquiries +concerning her twin brother, how he behaves, and if he has developed any +rash spirit calculated to get him into trouble. I remember telling her +that if she felt anxious just to drop me a line, and I'd answer." + +Frank unblushingly took the envelope from the extended fingers of Will. + +"Open it!" commanded Bluff. + +"You'll have to excuse me, fellows. That wouldn't be hardly fair to my +correspondent, you know. She expects me to keep her secrets." And Frank +coolly sauntered off as he spoke. + +Nor did he ever take them into his confidence with regard to what the +contents of that scented missive might be. Even Will was not told. +However, like most brothers, it can be said that he did not seem overly +anxious to learn. He had, perhaps, secrets of his own. + +Once again they were seated around the campfire. Supper had been, as +usual, a great success, and while the older members of the party smoked, +our boys amused themselves in various ways. + +Will was, of course, busy with his photographic outfit. His field +dark-room was a success, and he developed his films, and did all other +things necessary, with little or no trouble. Indeed, he had an apparatus +whereby he could carry on this operation successfully even in the +daytime; but he usually worked at night, because there was nothing else +going on then. + +The others had fallen into a conversation connected with their home +life. Reddy hovered near, listening, and Frank wondered why that wistful +look had come into the eyes of the young cowboy. Possibly he had a home +somewhere--perhaps memories of a mother or father had crowded into his +mind while the boys were talking of the sacred ties that bound them to +Centerville. + +Frank had always believed there must be something of a history attached +to Reddy's past. He had even hoped that some time the other might take +such a liking to him as to speak of his own folks. His manner gave Frank +the impression that the dashing cowboy might have had a new longing +spring up in his breast since their coming to the ranch, a desire to +once again visit the scenes of his boyhood. + +So, as they talked, referring to many of the events of the past, names +were often mentioned, and as a thought came to him, Frank happened to +say: + +"I wonder how Hank Brady is getting on with father's new car?" + +He saw the cowboy start and turn white. + +"Who's Hank Brady?" he asked, his voice trembling. + +"A fellow we met under strange circumstances. Hank was on the road to +the bad, but he got his eyes open just in time. Now he's our chauffeur, +and we think he's going to make good," replied Frank, watching the other +with sudden interest. + +"Huh! Did you ever hear anything about his family?" asked Reddy, trying +to act in a natural manner, but hardly succeeding very well. + +"Yes. He's got a father and mother who were mighty anxious about him." + +"And there's that good-for-nothing brother Ted he told you to keep your +eye out for up here!" broke in Bluff. + +"Yes; how about that, Frank? Have you ever asked about him?" exclaimed +Jerry. + +"No; but perhaps I'd better begin now. How about it, Reddy?" questioned +Frank. + +"You needn't go any further, for I can tell you all about that scalawag. +If you had asked Mr. Mabie, he'd have told you my name was Ted Brady," +was the astonishing reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +"WE MUST CUT AND RUN FOR IT!" + + +It was surprising to see the effect of the cowboy's announcement. + +Frank was in some measure prepared for it. He had entertained a sudden +suspicion as he noticed the emotion of the other. But his chums seemed +almost thunderstruck. + +"Tell me about that, will you!" said Jerry, feebly waving his hands. + +"Did you ever hear of such luck?" ejaculated Will. + +"Beats a story all hollow. Here's the prodigal son found at last, eating +his dinner with the--" began Bluff, when Jerry pounced on him. + +"Don't you dare finish that, on your life! Of course, you can call +yourself swine, if you please, but I object. But is it really true, +Reddy? Are you Hank's long lost brother?" he asked, turning to the +other. + +"I certainly am, although I ought to be ashamed of the way I've treated +my folks. All for a measly little matter, too. My eyes have been openin' +lately, and I was mighty near headin' Eastways before you came," said +the cowboy, hanging his head. + +"Then perhaps you'll go back with us, and surprise the folks?" suggested +Frank eagerly. + +"Well, now, I'd like to do that same, if so be you fellows mean it. You +see, my folks ain't always lived in Centerville. I thought that lots of +things you talked about seemed kinder familiar to me, for I was brought +up in that part of the State. Yes, I'll go home, and try and make up for +what I done to hurt the old folks. Somehow, just the idea of it makes me +feel better." + +He eagerly questioned the boys about his people. Of course, they did not +have much news to tell him. Hank was only a year or so older than his +brother, and the absent one was very much interested in hearing how they +had met him, and what awakened Hank to a consciousness of the terrible +mistake he was making in associating with unscrupulous men. + +After that Reddy assumed a new place with the boys. He seemed to be +closer to them than ever, and Frank no longer wondered why the other's +sunburned face had seemed partly familiar to him when he first met him. + +"You and Hank are very much alike," he said, later on, to Reddy. + +"They used to say that at home. I was just big enough to be accused of +many of Hank's tricks, and once I got a lickin' he deserved." + +"And another thing," laughed Frank, "I know now what he was about to +tell me at the time I was dragged away by my folks. I was asking him how +I could ever recognize you, in case we met, and he put up his hand to +his head, but I never heard the rest of it." + +"Why, of course, he was going to tell you that I had a mop of beautiful +red hair, and that Teddy went with Reddy. I guess you'd have known me if +you'd heard that," was the good-natured remark of the found one. + +On the following day the four outdoor chums determined to set out in a +bunch to have a grand hunt, following the dense woods far down the +valley. The last words of the old stockman were a caution in connection +with the dry grass. + +"Be careful about a fire, lads. If you make one, be sure the last spark +is out before you leave it. A forest fire would play the mischief just +now, with everything so dry. But somehow, I've got hopes that the rain +is coming soon," and he looked into the west, as though the few +low-down clouds gave him encouragement. + +When noon came the boys had put up a couple of elk, but at such a +distance that no one but Bluff fired, and he because he knew no better. + +"Do you think I wounded him?" he had the nerve to ask, whereat Jerry +looked at Frank and just smiled broadly. + +"Anyhow, they ran off faster after I fired," asserted Bluff confidently. + +"I should think anything would," was all Jerry said, and if there was +malice in the remark Bluff did not know it in his innocence. + +While they sat down to eat the lunch they had carried along Frank called +attention to the fact that the wind had risen. + +"Perhaps Mr. Mabie was right, after all, and there is a rainstorm coming +before long," suggested Will. + +"Then I hope it'll have the decency to hold off until we get home," said +Bluff. + +"Oh, a little wetting wouldn't hurt us. We're not made of sugar or salt. +But perhaps we'd better not go any further. We've come a long way since +breakfast. This valley seems to have no end, and it broadens out down +here, too." + +"Yes; and, Frank, have you noticed how thick the trees grow, too? Why, +in some places a fat man would have trouble getting through between the +trunks," said Jerry. + +"What ails Frank? He seems to be sniffing the air like a hound," asked +Will. + +"Oh, he always declared he had a fine scent, and I've noticed that he +knows when dinner is ready, ahead of the rest of us," remarked Jerry. + +Frank laughed good-naturedly. + +"To tell the truth, I was wondering, fellows, whether we could be near +another camp," he remarked. + +"Did you hear anybody shout?" asked Will. + +"No; but when there came a sudden shift to the wind I thought I got a +scent of fire. No, it wasn't cooking, this time, Jerry, so don't get +ready to accuse me of that weakness again; just something burning." + +"Say! you don't think it could be the woods afire, do you?" + +"Talk to me about your ghost-seers, will you! Will, here, can jump on to +trouble quicker than any fellow I know. Why, if the woods were on fire, +don't you think we'd have found that fact out before now, Mr. Faint +Heart? I guess such a thing couldn't happen without a heap of smoke that +would look like a pall, and appal us, in the bargain." + +"Well, all I can say is, I'm not hankering after any forest fire +experience after what Mr. Mabie told us about those friends of his who +were nearly burned to death seven years ago; and that was a prairie +fire, too," observed Will, continuing to cast anxious glances around. + +"Amen to that," remarked Bluff. + +"Why, you must think I'm just wild to try my legs, with a healthy blaze +jumping after me; but I'm not, all the same. Come along, Lazy-bones! +We're going to have the delightful pleasure of covering those ten miles +back again," and Jerry pulled Will to his feet. + +"Ten miles!" groaned the other dismally, making a pretense of hobbling, +as if his muscles had given out. "How in the world can I ever do it?" + +"Well, sing out when you want to stop. We'll hang you up in a tree, safe +and sound, just as I did that wolf I got; and later on one of the boys +can come for you with a horse," was Jerry's cheerful remark. + +"Oh, I'd hate to put you to any additional trouble, so I'll try my best +to limp along," replied Will, who, of course, was only shamming, in that +he was not half so tired as he tried to make out. + +So they turned their faces toward the home camp, and started trudging +along, now and then calling to one another as something caught their +fancy. + +Will had had little opportunity to make use of his picture-taking +machine this trip. His stock of films was beginning to run low, and only +special subjects must claim his attention from now on. Besides, he had +several views of the great woods, and the light was so poor under the +trees that it required a time exposure to bring out the details. + +"I think it's a mean shame none of you fellows think enough of me to get +up some sort of excitement, in order to let me snap you off," he was +saying as he tramped along. + +"Tell me about that, will you! The chap really thinks that it's our duty +to do all sorts of remarkable stunts, in order that he may have the +pleasure of snapping us off in ridiculous positions!" + +"Hear! hear! That was the finest speech I ever knew Jerry to put up. As +a rule, he leaves the heavy talk to me, and is satisfied to just grunt +out his ideas. But look here, Frank, I believe you were right," said +Bluff, stopping to elevate his nose in a significant fashion. + +"Oh! dear me! Do you smell smoke, too?" demanded Will. + +"Why, so do I, now that you mention it. And say! just cast your eyes +back of us, fellows! Don't it seem as though there was more or less +smoke in the woods over yonder?" asked Jerry. + +The four boys now showed sudden animation. + +"Hark to the wind, too! It's beginning to make a sound up there in the +tree-tops. Which way is it coming, Frank?" asked Will. + +Frank's face began to assume a serious look. The wind was fairly growing +stronger with every passing minute. If the woods should be afire, this +would whip the flames furiously, and send them speeding along at a +dangerous pace. + +"It begins to look bad for us, boys," he remarked. + +"What! Do you really mean it, or are you just trying to play a joke?" + +"You know me better than that, Will. There is certainly a brush fire +back there. Some camper has left his fire, and the rising wind has +carried it into the dead leaves," said Frank soberly, surveying his +surroundings. + +"Could we push forward and put it out before it does any damage?" asked +Bluff. + +"I'm afraid it's too late for that now. See there! The smoke is getting +thicker and thicker all the time. Boys, we might as well look the matter +straight in the face." + +"What do you mean, Frank?" asked Will in a trembling voice. + +"We must cut and run for it, that's all, for the fire is coming +swiftly!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +NEVER GIVE UP + + +At first, the boys made light of the flight. All of them were pretty +fair runners, and although the weather was warm for such exertion, they +did some clever work. + +"It's getting worse back there!" said Will, who brought up the rear. + +Frank had known this for several minutes, and was correspondingly +worried. + +The wind had risen to such an extent that it rushed through the +tree-tops like an express train, making a doleful sound. Nor was this +all, for they could plainly hear a crackling from the rear that was +gradually becoming a subdued roar. + +"Oh! I saw the fire then!" called Will a minute or two later. + +Looking over their shoulders as they ran, all of them had glimpses of +the flames leaping hungrily upward. What Mr. Mabie had feared all along +had actually come to pass. All of them were glad, however, that it had +not been through any fault of theirs, since they had built no fire that +day. + +"Frank, it's catching up with us! Whatever shall we do?" panted Bluff, +close beside the one he addressed. + +Frank had been considering this same question. He at first thought they +might outrun the fire, but now he changed his mind. The woods were so +dense, and the vegetation so thick, that whenever they tried to make +fast time they kept tripping over trailing vines, or else banging up +against the trunks of the forest monarchs, sometimes damaging their +noses by the contact. + +"What was he telling us about fighting fire with fire?" asked Jerry, who +was by this time feeling not quite so jaunty as usual, but ready to +seize upon any opening that promised safety. + +"That was out on the prairie. I don't think the scheme would work here +in the woods. It would take too long for the second blaze to get a +start, and we'd be caught between the two fires," was Frank's reply. + +"But we must do something pretty soon!" cried Will. + + [Illustration: "FRANK, IT'S CATCHING UP WITH US!"--_Page 192_. + _The Outdoor Chums After Big Game_.] + +Indeed, it would appear so. They were now enveloped in a pall of +smoke, that, entering their eyes, made them smart fiercely. Not only +that, but the fire could be seen in a dozen places behind them, leaping +up into the trees as the dried foliage offered such a splendid torch, +and the wind urged the conflagration along. + +"Will's right. The old thing's running us neck and crop. I believe it's +gaining on us right along!" exclaimed Bluff. + +"Look for a hollow tree!" cried Jerry. + +"Humbug! Just because you once got in one during a storm you think a +hollow tree can be used for nearly anything. Why, we'd be smothered in a +jiffy, even if we didn't get burned to a crisp! Say something else!" +shouted Bluff. + +"What is it, Frank--you know?" demanded Will, who, in this time of need, +somehow turned to the one whose cool head had many times managed to +extricate them from some impending danger. + +"We've just _got_ to head another way, and try and get out of the path +of the fire, if we can. Besides, the river lies to the left," he +answered, as cheerily as he could. + +"The river! Hurrah!" shrieked Will in sudden elation, for the very +thought of water was a blessed relief when threatened by fire. + +"We can duck under, and save our bacon!" cried Jerry. + +"There you go, confessing to the swine again," declared Bluff. + +But in spite of their light words the boys were by this time thoroughly +alarmed. The appearance of the burning woods in their immediate rear was +appalling, to say the least. High sprang the flames, and their crackling +could now be plainly heard. Indeed, the sound began to assume the +proportions of a continuous roar, such as a long freight train might +make in passing over a trestle and down a grade. + +Now that they were running almost sidewise to the advancing fire, it +approached much faster than before. + +"I felt a spark on my face, fellows!" + +Frank was not at all surprised to hear Will say this, for he, too, had +experienced the same thing not half a minute before. He had not +mentioned the fact, for fear of alarming his chums still more. + +"Keep on, fellows!" was all he said, for he needed every bit of breath +he could muster. + +Desperately they tried to increase their pace, but found it hard work +with so many obstacles confronting them. Will tumbled more than any of +the others, somehow or other. Perhaps it was because he was carrying his +camera so carefully, and thinking more about it than his own person. + +Finally Frank missed him entirely. + +"Where's Will gone?" he demanded. + +The others, turning, were horrified to find their chum missing. + +"Keep right on, you fellows! Don't you dare stop, or follow me! I'll get +Will! The river's close by!" he called out, and then turned around, +retracing his steps directly toward the advancing fire. + +Never had Will seemed so precious in the sight of the boy who thus +placed his own life in jeopardy in order to save that of his chum. In +imagination Frank pictured his agony of mind if he had to tell Violet +that her twin brother had perished miserably in a forest fire, while he +escaped. + +"Will! Will!" he was shouting frantically, as loud as he could, and this +was not anything to boast of, for the smoke choked him, and he could +hardly keep from coughing almost constantly. + +"Hi! Here I am! Lost like the babes in the woods!" sang out a voice. + +Frank pounced on his friend, who, with smarting eyes, was fairly +staggering about, hardly knowing which way he was trying to go, having +become more or less rattled by the impending peril and the state of his +own feelings. + +"Run for all you're worth, Will!" he said, as he clutched the sleeve of +the other almost fiercely, for they had little chance of eluding those +hungry flames now. + +Together they rushed along, Frank's eyes doing double duty, for Will +seemed by this time half blind, and the one free hand was constantly +rubbing his smarting orbs. + +"A little further, and we're safe!" he kept calling in the ear of his +nearly exhausted chum. + +The heat was beginning to be terrific now. Blazing branches flew through +the air, and set trees on fire all around them. + +"It's like the fiery furnace!" Will said three times running, and Frank +really began to fear his companion's mind was getting unsettled from the +fright of their desperate condition. + +Oh! if the river would only show up ahead! No doubt the others had, ere +now, gained the glorious haven, and were settled up to their necks in +the water, ready to defy the power of the opposing element. But it was +an open question whether the halting pair could ever make the shelter of +the friendly stream. + +"Let me go, Frank! You can make it alone!" pleaded Will. + +"Shut up! Keep on running! I tell you we're going to get there, and +don't you think for a minute we ain't!" replied Frank furiously, as he +pulled Will along. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS + + +"This way, Frank! Turn a little to the left!" + +"That's Jerry shouting! Do you hear him, Will? Keep up your heart! We're +going to cheat the old fire yet!" cried Frank. + +His companion seemed to pluck a little new spirit from the encouraging +shout, and his lagging feet began to show more animation. In this way +they hurried out of the already burning forest, and found themselves on +the brink of the swift current of the valley stream. + +"Jump in! The water's fine!" shouted Jerry, who, with Bluff, had +submerged himself up to his shoulders. + +"But my camera! I can't ruin it in the water!" shouted the obstinate +Will, as he looked eagerly around for some place to conceal the object +which he held in so much reverence. + +"Under those rocks! We chucked our guns there!" called Bluff, pointing +out the spot, in his eagerness to help matters along. + +Will hastened to thrust the beloved camera into the cavity that lay +beneath the rocks, and Frank, nothing loth, also pushed his rifle into +the same place. Then it was ludicrous to see how quickly they made a +plunge into the river. + +Their immersion did not come a minute too soon. Frank knew that Will's +garments were on fire in several places, and did not doubt but that his +own must be in the same condition, for the sparks were raining all +around them. + +"This is all right," said the irrepressible Jerry, jumping up and down +as he tried to hold out against the strong current. + +"All I know is that we are in luck to have this blessed old river +handy," said Frank, with more or less feeling in his voice, as he +watched the fire flash from tree to tree in pursuing its course. + +"Yes, it's a queer world. Only a few days ago it came near ending my +life up at the cataract, and now it makes amends by saving it," remarked +Jerry. + +"The fire doesn't seem to jump across the river," observed Will. + +"No; and I don't think it will, unless the wind changes quickly," said +Frank. + +"But it seems bound to get to our camp inside of an hour or two. What +d'ye suppose they'll do with all the duffle?" inquired Bluff uneasily. + +"I'm not worried about that. Mr. Mabie will scent trouble a long way +off, and find a refuge among the rocks, if necessary; but I'm inclined +to think the fire will never get to him," replied Frank. + +"Do you believe the wind will shift, then, and blow back on us?" asked +Will. + +"I'm not a wind prophet. What I had in mind was that the fire would be +put out before it got three miles from here." + +"Put out! Do you mean to say they've a fire department up here?" +demanded Will. + +"Why, certainly; but it doesn't cost them a cent to maintain it. +Somebody just pulls the string, and the water comes down," laughed +Jerry. + +"Oh! I see now what you mean! It's going to rain!" + +"Hear! hear. He's tumbled to it at last! Sometimes it seems to me that +we'll just have to get out a special dictionary for Will, so he can find +the answers to conundrums without waste of time or energy," declared +Bluff. + +"That's the penalty every genius has to pay," remarked Will composedly. + +Every now and then the boys were compelled to duck their heads beneath +the surface of the river, for the heat became unbearable. When the worst +of the fire had gone by on the wings of the furious wind, things began +to change a bit for the better. + +"Say! don't you think we might be getting out of here now?" demanded +Will, whose teeth, strange to say, were rattling together with the chill +of the mountain stream even while the air was still heated around them. + +"I suppose it will be safe, and we can stand the heat if it will assist +to dry our clothes. Though for that matter, fellows, it's ten to one we +will be soaked through and through again before we get to camp." + +"This is mighty unhealthy, I think. Such rapid changes always encourage +dangerous ailments," remarked Will, whose father, now dead, had been a +physician. + +"All the same, I know several fellows who were very much pleased to make +a sudden change a little while back," asserted Jerry. + +They crawled out on the bank. Will, of course, made straight for the +rocky niche toward which he had cast many an anxious look while standing +in the river. + +"Good! Everything is all right, boys! Not a bit of damage done, that I +can see!" he called out. + +They kept close to the river in making their way along. Perhaps the main +idea in this was to have a handy refuge in case a sudden need arose. + +"There she comes!" remarked Bluff, in less than ten minutes. + +"What? Where?" asked Will, staring around. + +A deep bellow of near-by thunder answered him. Then the rain began to +fall in torrents. Will always carried a piece of waterproof cloth, to be +used for wrapping around his precious camera on occasions when it was +threatened with rain. This he brought into use, and at the same time +tried to keep the little black box sheltered as much as possible under +his coat. + +From one extreme they had jumped to the other. First it was a +superabundance of fire, and now water began to trouble them. + +"I'm soaked through again," announced Jerry dolefully, as he allowed the +wind to carry him along through the blackened timber. + +"And I just bet that old fire has been squashed out before this," +spluttered Bluff. "Don't you say so, Frank?" + +"If it hasn't, it soon will be. Did you ever see it come down harder?" + +"Must be trying to make up for the drouth of the last two months. Mr. +Mabie said that when it did come we'd likely get a drencher. We're +getting it, all right," declared Jerry. + +For another half hour they kept on, though the walking was very hard. + +"A fine-looking crowd we are," declared Frank, as he surveyed his +blackened leggings and sodden coat. + +"But it seems to me things don't look quite so bad around here," +observed Will. + +"Well, they don't, for a fact. Frank, we've reached the fire limit, I do +believe!" cried Bluff. + +Everybody was glad to know it, for many reasons. The walking would be +better, they could by degrees wash off the black stains that had been +covering their clothes, and last, but far from least, the camp would be +safe. + +"I'll never forget this day's experience, that's sure," Jerry was +saying, half an hour later, as, they still plodded on, with some miles +still ahead of them that must be gone over before they reached camp. + +"And every time I look at the picture of the fire it'll bob up before me +and make me shudder," remarked Will. + +"Talk to me about that, will you! Do you mean to say you had the nerve +to stop and snap off some views of that hot old fire while the rest of +us were shinning it as fast as we could?" demanded Jerry. + +"Why, of course I did! What do you take me for? Who else would have +preserved that exciting episode for future generations to enjoy, if I +hadn't? That's what I'm here for," replied Will in surprise. + +"And I suppose that was what made you so late Frank had to go back and +hunt you up, eh?" + +"I suppose it was, Bluff; but don't you scold now. I guess you'll enjoy +those views as much as any one. There's only one thing I regret, +fellows." + +"And I can guess what that is. You wish you had taken the rest of us up +to our chins in the drink," remarked Frank, whereat Will nodded eagerly, +crying out: + +"Oh! it would have been a great sight! Think how many times it might +chase the blues away when some of us felt downcast! I wish, now, I had +asked you to go back and give me the chance." + +"Tell me about that, will you! Was there ever such an +indefatigable--hey, Bluff! Is that the word I want?--artist as our meek +little pard here? Sometimes he seems so timid, and then again he shows +more nerve than the whole bunch put together. I thought I knew him to a +dot, but I confess I'm puzzled," grunted Jerry. + +"The rain has stopped, fellows," announced Frank a little later. + +"But just look at the river! Must have been a cloudburst, as they call +it out in the Rockies, Mr. Mabie says. It's just rising right before our +eyes!" + +"Then they'll have to change the camp, because by this time the water +must be up to where the tents were pitched. Why, see there, Frank! Isn't +that water over yonder, too, on the right of us?" asked Bluff, pointing +through the woods. + +"As sure as you live, and rushing madly on, too. We are between two +rivers, it seems, with the water rising like a tidal wave. Perhaps we +may have to take to a tree yet, fellows," announced Frank after a long +look. + +"H'm! These trees are sure handy to have around! We shin up one to avoid +all sorts of dangers, it seems to me. And by the looks of that wall of +water coming down on us just now, the sooner we climb, the better for +us!" cried Jerry, suiting his actions to his words, and seizing the +lower limb of a friendly oak, into which he clambered hastily, followed +by his three chums, just as a five-foot wave swept under them, for all +the world resembling a "curler" rolling in from the ocean and up the +beach. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE STAMPEDE + + +"What d'ye call this, anyway?" exclaimed Bluff, panting with his +exertions. + +"I'd say it was crowding the mourners, for these things to chase each +other so fast, and the elements to make playthings out of four confiding +chums," said Frank. + +"Tell me about that, will you! First a scorching, then put to soak, +after which comes another hot experience, and now treed by a flood! Upon +my word, things are happening a little too rapid even for me," put in +Jerry. + +"There!" remarked Will, with a satisfied chuckle. "I think you three +fellows will make a splendid showing, perched along that limb like a lot +of crows, and the water rolling along below." + +"Talk to me about the industrious photographer! If that chap hasn't +taken our pictures in this ridiculous attitude! Why, they'll believe +we've gone back to the old days, when our ancestors used to live in +trees." + +"Speak for yourself, Jerry. I refuse to admit that I am descended from a +monkey," declared Bluff indignantly. + +"How long do you suppose we may have to hang out here?" asked Will. + +"Oh, a day or so, I suppose," replied Jerry, keeping a straight face. + +"A day or so! Listen to him say that without a show of feeling! Why, +long before that time elapsed I'd grow so weak from fatigue that I'd +have to be strapped to my limb to keep from falling into the treacherous +water," stammered Will. + +"And what of me?" burst out Bluff. "I'd waste away to a mere shadow from +hunger. Sooner than submit to that, I'd try swimming ashore." + +"Do you think the water will get any higher? Could it possibly overwhelm +us in this tree? We could climb up twenty feet if necessary." + +"Well, I hardly think that emergency is going to arise, Will; not at +this time, at least. To tell the truth, the water is already receding," +announced Frank, taking pity on Jerry's victims, both of whom looked +worried. + +"Oh! do you really think so?" cried Will. "Then Jerry is only up to some +of his old foolishness. Yes, I can see that it does not quite come up to +the wet mark on the trunk of the tree. Then perhaps we won't have to +stay up here all night." + +"Well, I guess not. I expect that in less than twenty minutes we'll be +once more afoot, and on our way to camp. This must have been a genuine +cloudburst, and they tell me those sort of things, while severe at the +time, are quickly over." + +"Bully for you, Frank! You always look on the bright side of things, +while Jerry tries to dash a fellow's spirits. Things have come out +pretty well, after all. We've had some strange experiences, come through +them all in decent shape, and to cap the whole thing I've captured some +dandy views. I can hardly wait to develop them." + +"Go ahead, then. Plenty of water at hand for washing off the hypo," +suggested Jerry wickedly. + +By the time the twenty minutes had expired the water had subsided so far +that the imprisoned chums were able to lower themselves from the tree +and once more resume their journey. + +Of course, they were an uncomfortable lot, being soaked to the skin, +and, as Will declared, looking like a lot of hoboes. Brisk exertion kept +them from feeling cold, however; but they were one and all delighted to +set eyes on the familiar tents of the home camp. + +Their welcome was a warm one, for Mr. Mabie had been more or less +worried concerning them, owing to the forest fire and the fierce +cloudburst. + +"We hoped you were safe, and tried to believe it, boys; but at the same +time, even a veteran hunter in these parts might have been caught +napping, and I tell you we're mighty glad to see you back safe and +sound. Now, tell us how it happened," was Mr. Mabie's greeting as he +squeezed a hand of each. + +"If you mean the fire, sir, we know nothing about it. We have not struck +a match since leaving here, and only Bluff shot once. The fire came from +an entirely different quarter, I assure you," said Frank. + +"I never doubted that, my lad. I've seen enough of you boys to know that +after all I've said none of you would be careless enough to endanger +things. But perhaps, after all, the fire was more of a blessing than +otherwise, for it probably helped to hurry that rainstorm along, and +that has saved our pastures." + +Of course, the boys were for getting into dry clothes at once. The fire +was heaped high with fresh fuel, so that a delightful warmth would be +diffused around the immediate vicinity, after which there was a general +change of garments. + +"I feel better than I thought I would after all that rumpus," admitted +Bluff, as he capered about, trying to keep his muscles from getting +stiff. + +"We'll look back to this day as one of the strangest in all our +experience," remarked Frank, hanging his wet garments where the sun +would fall upon them, for the clouds had passed away, leaving a clear +sky overhead. + +"How much longer do we stay here?" asked Will, who had been doing some +figuring. "Because my films are getting low. I have three rolls still at +the ranch house, and when they're exhausted my business is done." + +"Sorry to tell you, lads, that I had word from the house while you were +gone, and it's absolutely necessary for me to start back in the morning. +Now, if you would like to remain a little longer in camp, why, Reddy and +Billy will keep you company. Don't give up unless you're satisfied with +what fun you've had," said the stockman just then. + +The boys looked at each other. + +"I think we've seen enough of this life, and that there are dozens of +things about the ranch we ought to know more about. So I vote that we +return with Mr. Mabie," was Frank's suggestion. + +"Count me in that," echoed Jerry. + +"And I'm just wild to print a few of the remarkable pictures I've made +up here, which I can't do until we get back to the house; so I'm only +too willing to say yes to the proposition," put in Will. + +"And I'm just as happy one place as the other, so long as the cook +doesn't strike, or put us on short rations," added Bluff. + +In this spirit of humor it was therefore decided that on the following +morning they would break camp and return to the ranch. + +"I feel that I'm cheating you out of some of your expected fun, boys," +apologized the stockman that evening, as they were packing some of their +stuff, so as to lighten the labor in the morning. + +"Why, I don't know what else we could do here. Seems to me we've about +exhausted the list of excitements. We've shot elk, grizzlies, a panther, +a wolf, met up with Indians, been chased by a forest fire, soaked in the +river and treed by a cloudburst. There could hardly be anything more, +sir," laughed Frank. + +"Well, I admit that you have made hay while the sun shone; and such a +pushing lot of boys always will get all the fun there is going. It's +been the happiest event of my last ten years of life to have you with +me, and when you see my old side partner of long ago just tell him that +I'll never get over being thankful to him for having sent you up here +to break the dreadful monotony of existence on a stock ranch." + +They passed a delightful evening. The boys sang many of their school +songs, and Bluff was induced to give a recitation, which called forth +vociferous applause from the cowboy audience. + +"I can see very plainly that you are going to make a worthy successor to +that lawyer father of yours, Bluff," declared Mr. Mabie as he clapped +his hands. + +"And I expect to live to see him on the Supreme Bench yet," said Jerry +seriously. + +In the morning preparations for their departure were soon completed. The +tents, and all material connected with the camp, went in the wagon, +while the boys, together with Mr. Mabie and Reddy, rode horseback. It +was an invigorating gallop back to the ranch house, and on the way the +chums indulged in a number of little races. But Will would not allow +himself to enter as he was afraid that something might happen to his +precious camera, which he carried by a strap over his shoulder. + +Once back in their old quarters, for several days the boys took life +easy, each being busily engaged in some favorite pursuit. Will developed +all his films, and made copious prints of the same, which kept him in a +feverish state of mind. When one turned out especially fine he was in +the seventh heaven of delight; and if he met with disappointment, which +was seldom the case, his laments were dismal indeed. + +Thus a week more passed, and the boys were beginning to think of turning +their faces toward the East again. They would leave the ranch with many +regrets, for Mr. Mabie had certainly quite won their youthful hearts by +his genial ways. + +Frank was the last one to meet with an adventure on this occasion, which +was fated to be written down in his logbook as worthy of remembrance. + +He had been out riding, and his horse, stepping into a gopher hole, +threw him. Frank was not seriously hurt, but the horse went lame, so +that he could not be ridden. As this happened miles away from the house, +and night was coming on, with a storm threatening, Frank knew he was in +for an experience; but even then he did not dream of all that was down +on the bills for that special occasion. + +Through the darkness he went, leading his limping horse. Then the storm +broke, and the crash of thunder, as well as the vivid lightning, was +something such as he could not remember ever meeting before. + +He was just thinking that the pony had recovered enough to enable him to +mount and make his way slowly along, as the ranch house was not more +than a mile off, when something came to his ears that arrested his +attention. For half a minute he wondered what it might be, sounding like +increasing thunder. Then the appalling truth flashed upon him. There was +a stampede of cattle, and he seemed to be directly in the way of the +madly galloping herd! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A MYSTERY SOLVED + + +Frank, after that one spasm of alarm, gritted his teeth, and thought +fast. He had heard the rancher, as well as the cowboys, speak of the +terrors of the stampede, when the cattle were in a frenzy, through fear, +and utterly beyond all management. + +He knew that frequently experienced cowmen, caught in the rush of a +thousand lumbering steers, had been ground to death under countless +hoofs. It was so in the old days, when bison dotted the plains of the +great West. + +Mounted on a good horse, one might hope to ride clear of the advancing +avalanche of hoofs and horns. But his steed was lame, and hardly able to +limp along. The situation was one calculated to arouse a boy as he had +never been awakened before in all his life. + +Frank jumped upon the back of his horse. He knew instantly that his one +hope must lie in getting clear of the immense herd; and that this could +only be done by either riding faster than they were going down the wide +valley, or in making for the nearest hillside, where trees would offer +him a refuge. + +He chose the latter. Flight in a straightaway course was utterly out of +the question with a cripple between his knees. + +"Get up, Hector! Do your prettiest now!" he called to his horse. + +The poor beast was trying his hardest to run well, but making only a +pretense, after all, since that lame leg kept him from speedy progress. +Doubtless Hector, being a cow pony, knew full well the nature of the +peril that menaced them, and if it lay in his power he would bear his +young master to a point of safety. + +Frank's heart seemed to be in his throat as he leaned forward and +listened to the rapidly approaching roar of hundreds upon hundreds of +hoofs, mingled with the horrid clashing of horns. Added to this was the +deep-toned thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning. + +Once, when he looked to the left, he could see the moving mass that was +sweeping horribly close. After that he resolutely kept his attention +riveted in front, where the ridge loomed up against the darkened +heavens. + +Everything depended upon how far he was from the nearest trees. Seconds +counted with Frank just then. The lightning flashed every quarter of a +minute, and yet it seemed to him that they were ages apart. + +With his heart in his throat, as it seemed, he stared ahead, and waited +for the next flash to show him the worst. Unless the trees were close +by, his case seemed hopeless, for the main herd appeared to have pushed +over to this side of the valley, unfortunately, showing that he had +picked the wrong course when he started. + +Hector stumbled more than once, and Frank feared he would be thrown. He +even wondered whether it would not be better for him to throw himself to +the ground while he had the chance, and trust to his own legs to carry +him to safety. + +Then came the eagerly anticipated flash. Hope sprang anew in his breast, +for he had discovered the trees close at hand. One more gallant effort +on the part of the crippled pony, and they managed to pass behind the +outposts of the timber, just as the beginning of the terrible rushing +stampede swept by. + +There Frank sat upon his pony, breathing hard, and patting the poor +animal reassuringly. He could hear the loud cries of the cowboys and Mr. +Mabie as they circled about the terrified cattle, trying by every means +possible to influence them to mill; but in that gloom it was impossible +to carry out the usual tactics, and by degrees the sounds died away far +down the valley. + +Frank walked with his lame pony to the ranch house. Here he found his +chums in a fright because of his absence. They were afraid he had been +caught in the mad stampede and ground under the hoofs of the steers. + +Mr. Mabie did not show up until long after midnight. The storm had +passed away, and the sky cleared by that time. The boys were sitting up, +waiting, none of them thinking of seeking his bed. + +"Hello, Frank, my lad! I'm mighty glad to find you here, safe and sound. +I saw your pony at the stable, and that you had bound up his leg, +showing a sprain. But I was afraid that something more serious had been +the matter. You don't know how relieved I was to see your horse; and +Reddy, too. The poor fellow has been in a sweat with fear ever since the +stampede broke out," was the hearty way the rancher greeted Frank as he +came bustling in. + +"Oh, I was right in the line of the rush, but by clever work on the +part of my pony managed to reach the trees before they caught me. But +what's the report about the cattle, sir?" asked Frank eagerly. + +"The boys have halted them about ten miles from here. Thanks to the +storm stopping, and the animals getting leg weary, we managed to head +them off. Little damage done, except to our feelings. These things +happen once in a while, and are really unavoidable. Steers in a panic +are crazy; but then I suppose the same would apply to human beings, if +all accounts are true that I read about theater fires and such things." + +He asked many questions concerning Frank's adventure. + +"You just happened to choose the wrong side, lad. Had you headed the +other way you would have had little trouble. The storm came from that +quarter, and a cowboy must have known that cattle always run _away_ from +the lightning and rain. But fortunately you made the timber, and; as the +subject is unpleasant, we'll drop it for the present. Now get off to +bed, the lot of you. In the morning, if you want, I'll take you down +with me, and show you how we drive a big herd." + +"I've got my last roll of films in the camera, and that would make a +mighty fine set of pictures to finish up with; but, oh! what wouldn't I +give if I could have caught Frank, here, riding for life on that +crippled pony, and the stampede sweeping down on him!" said Will +enthusiastically. + +"Talk to me about your cold-blooded savages! Does anything equal a crank +with a camera, bent on snapping off everything that happens?" muttered +Jerry, shaking his head in real or assumed disgust. + +"That is the fate of every genius, to be misunderstood and +misrepresented when ready to sacrifice comfort and everything to his +art. But I am not the only one who is a crank. I have known fellows so +proud of their lungs, that night after night they insisted on filling +the air mattresses of the party just to prove which could blow the +harder; while the other two members of the party sat by and laughed." + +Frank chuckled at hearing this, and both Bluff and Jerry looked daggers, +for the shot hit home with them. + +In the morning the boys did accompany the rancher down the valley. Frank +showed them his course on the previous night, and they followed his +line of travel until the trees were reached. Trail there was none, for +hundreds of cloven hoofs had pounded the soil about that spot, showing +how narrow had been his escape. + +The cowboys were found to have the big herd well in hand. It was even +then on the way back to its former feeding ground. Some of the steers +showed the effects of the mad rush, in various cuts from the horns of +their fellows; and several had tripped and gone down to death in the +panic, the herd trampling them into an unrecognizable mass. + +Of course, Will satisfied his longing, and secured what pictures he +wanted. + +"I'm happy in having carried out my plans. Won't the home folks stare +when they see the panorama of views I've gathered!" he said jubilantly. + +"I should think they would," remarked Jerry, shrugging his shoulders, +"for you certainly have a collection of freak pictures, some of which +would take the prize." + +"But all of this lot are genuine. Nobody had to prance around a tree +with a dead yellow dog on his feet, pretending to chase after him," +asserted Will. + +"Whose doing was that, eh? Tell me that! Didn't you just plead with me +to make a fool of myself, and to save you pain I consented. I suppose +I'll never hear the end of that fool joke," growled Jerry. + +"Oh, yes, you will. It's all in the family. Others don't know the dog +was dead when he had his picture taken. They all say he looks as though +about to snap a piece out of your leg. Now, I think we've just had a +glorious time of it up here, with nothing to mar our pleasure," remarked +Frank, the peacemaker. + +"Except that miserable job of mine in leaving my knife home," sighed +Bluff. + +"Talk to me about that, will you! He hasn't forgotten it yet!" exclaimed +Jerry. + +"I never can. Hello! Here comes Reddy with a bag of mail, the last we'll +get, I suppose, before we go home. A letter for me? Now just keep your +eyes to yourselves, fellows. I admit it's from Nellie, but no doubt the +dear girl is anxious about her brother Frank, and wants information from +a thoroughly reliable quarter." + +Bluff sought out a lonesome corner of the big piazza in front of the +ranch house, and presently all hands were absorbed in their letters. +Suddenly the others heard Bluff utter an exclamation, and looked up just +in time to see him sprint into the building. + +"What d'ye suppose ails the fellow?" asked Will. + +"Give it up. He seemed to have a broad grin on his face, as though +Nellie must have written something especially sweet. But here he comes +out again, dancing like a wild Indian. What's he waving above his head, +fellows?" said Frank. + +"It's his lost hunting-knife, as sure as you live!" echoed Will. + +"Just to think of it, boys! The beauty was in my clothes bag all the +time, and I didn't know it! Nellie did it. She mentions the fact in this +letter, and says she was so afraid I'd hurt myself with that knife, by +accident, that she rolled it up in this new flannel shirt, which I've +never thought to put on as yet, and thrust it down at the bottom of my +clothes bag. I never thought to pull it out; and now that the big-game +hunt is over I get my trusty blade." + +"Tell me about that, will you! And you thought I was to blame," remarked +Jerry. + +"For which I beg your pardon. After all, perhaps no harm was done, and +since Nellie only did it from the best of motives, why, I would be +foolish to be angry." + +"Sensible for once," observed Frank, winking at the others. + +"And so we will leave the ranch without the slightest cloud on the +horizon. Fellows, all I can say is we're a lucky lot of boys," observed +Will positively. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +HOME AGAIN--CONCLUSION + + +Saying good-by was harder than the boys had anticipated. They had really +enjoyed themselves so immensely up there at the ranch in the wilderness +that the thought of never seeing it more brought gloom upon their +spirits. + +Of course, the fact that they were heading toward home, and the dear +ones awaiting their coming, made their sorrow lighter. + +They had sent their trunk away on the previous evening, so that it would +be at the far distant station awaiting their coming. On horseback, then, +they were to cover the route that on their arrival they had done on a +buckboard. + +Mr. Mabie, Reddy and Billy accompanied them, the stockman and Billy to +bring back the mounts after the train had borne their young friends +away. Reddy, of course, expected to accompany the boys East, to at least +visit his family. He could not promise to remain at home, for the magic +of the magnificent country of the Northwest called loudly to him; but he +was taking home his savings, and meant to make his parents happy. + +"I'll never forget all the good times you've given us, Mr. Mabie," said +Frank, as he squeezed the hand of their good friend when the whistle of +the approaching train was heard as it came booming out of the cut, a +mile away. + +"My dear boy, on my part I can never thank you and your jolly chums half +enough for the delightful time you've given me. It will seem dreary here +after you're gone. I haven't been so happy for years," was the reply of +the stockman, as he beamed upon the cluster of bright faces around him. + +"But you know you promised to make us a visit when we're home from +college next Christmas. Don't forget that, sir!" declared Will. + +"I certainly will not, if I'm alive. And Will, one of the inducements +for such a long journey is the expectation of seeing that remarkable +book of interesting views, containing reminders of so many of the +exploits of the Outdoor Club. I'm sure that alone would repay me for the +trip," laughed the other. + +"You won't forget about shipping those skins and things, sir? We want +them for reminders of the happiest trip this club ever took. Every time +we look at those rugs we'll think of you and your Big M ranch," remarked +Bluff. + +"They'll go in a few days, boys, just as soon as the skins are in proper +shape for transportation, depend on it. And I'll let you know when +Pierre is placed under arrest, and the exiled chief, Running Elk, goes +back to his people with all honor." + +The last they saw of Mr. Mabie and Billy, they were waving their big +hats vigorously on the little station platform. Then a curve of the road +shut them out, and the four chums settled back in their seats to talk +over the thousand and one matters that claimed their attention. + +It is not in youth to grieve for long. They felt bad at leaving the +scene of these recent happy events; but presently, in anticipation of +the reunion with loved ones at home, this was temporarily forgotten. + +Will bemoaned the fact that he had not one single film left. + +"And there are so many things I'd like to take on the way home," he +sighed, "and which I let slip on the way up." + +"Yes," remarked Jerry laughingly, "it's wonderful what game you see +when you haven't a gun. But what's the matter with you trying to get a +roll at the first town? Perhaps we may stop long enough, and they may +have photographic supplies at the station." + +"Thank you for the suggestion, Jerry. It was a bright thought--for you; +but I mean to take advantage of it, and make inquiries." + +Jerry gave him a queer look. Will was a fellow he could not fully +understand. He seemed to be made up of contradictions, sometimes simple, +and again shrewd; now as timid as a girl, and under certain conditions +showing the bravery of a lion. Jerry knew Bluff as he did his own +nature, and could dispute with him with energy, but in the case of Will +he was always glad to drop the subject before he found he had burned his +fingers. + +Nothing of moment happened on the journey, at least nothing worthy of +mention. Will did manage to secure a roll of films at the first town. A +messenger came to the car with it, and Frank always supposed from that +that his eccentric companion must have wired ahead for supplies. When +Will wanted anything he meant to get it, if there was any possible way +of so doing. + +In due time they arrived at the station in Centerville, where a host of +relatives and friends awaited their coming. There was a roar of many +voices as the four chums appeared in view, and our boys quickly found +themselves being hugged and kissed in a most indiscriminate fashion. + +If some of the girls, in the confusion, kissed the brothers of their +friends, as well as their own, that was not to be wondered at, and +everybody seemed as happy as could be, despite these natural blunders. + +Finally they managed to push outside the station. + +"Where's Hank Brady?" called Frank aloud. + +"Here!" said that worthy, stepping forward from the motor-car, and +holding out his hand eagerly to the friend who had been so instrumental +in assisting him to get his slipping feet on steady ground. + +"Hello, Hank! Here's your brother Teddy!" + +In this abrupt fashion did he bring the two face to face. Hank turned +white, and stared hard at the bronzed young cowboy for a moment; then he +caught hold of him, and the long separated; brothers were in each +other's arms. + +"Sure, the old folks will be happy this night, Ted, to see you again! I +never hoped they'd find you when I asked Mr. Frank to keep on the +lookout," was what Hank was saying, as he turned a moist eye in the +direction of the boy who had done so much to bring happiness to his +home. + +Bluff and Nellie were seen talking earnestly close by. Probably he was +telling her about the surprise she gave him in that last letter when +revealing what she had done with his wonderful hunting-knife. + +Now that they were home again, with vacation nearing an end, the boys +would not have so much time to indulge in their pastimes on the lake, so +that they were keen to make hay while the sun shone. Consequently, they +fairly haunted the lake, and the canoes were in use every day from that +time on. Nor were they alone in this love of the open, for many an +evening each canoe had its complement of fair ones, whose sweet voices +blended with those of the four outdoor chums as they paddled in the +moonlight over the rippling water. + +College was ahead of them, but as they expected to keep together still, +the Outdoor Club was not to be disbanded by any means. Often in future +days they expected to once more sit around a campfire in company, +enjoying the delights of an outing, and recalling many of the wonderful +experiences that came their way in days that were past. + +And there, written down in Frank's diary, or logbook, were the accounts +of their first camp above the loggers' settlement, at the head of the +lake; the one on Wildcat Island; then the third, among the Sunset +Mountains, when they solved the mystery of Oak Ridge's ghost; and also +their wonderful cruise down a Florida river and along the border of the +great Mexican Gulf; while this journey to the cattle ranch of Mr. Mabie, +in the wilderness of the Northwest, would complete the list. + +How many times, as they read of these exploits, and surveyed the +splendid pictures Will had secured during their various campaigns, would +the scenes of the happy past come before their mental vision! They could +hardly expect to equal these glorious days in the times to come, but no +one who knew their love for the open would dare predict that the Outdoor +Club would cease to exist with the going to college of its four members. + +Perchance they may yet have other camps in strange places, and perhaps +it may be our pleasant duty to chronicle the happenings of the four +chums when again they erect their tents, or it may be, paddle their +canoes on other waters. + +Wherever they go, and in whatever line of business they may find their +life work, it can be taken for granted that the lessons learned when +living this life of self-reliance in the open must always prove of the +greatest value to The Outdoor Chums. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Chums After Big Game +by Captain Quincy Allen + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME *** + +***** This file should be named 15188.txt or 15188.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/1/8/15188/ + +Produced by Janet Kegg, Charles Aldarondo, and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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