Arthur M. Winfield

“ A few had retreated at the report of the gun, but now all came back, snarling and yelping more wildly than ever.
It must be confessed that Jasper Grinder's position was truly unfortunate. The loss of blood was fast rendering him unconscious, and he was in mortal terror of dropping down and being devoured.
"Help!" he called feebly. "Help! For the love of Heaven, help me!"
Just as his senses were leaving him he heard a distant cry, and looking in that direction, saw John Barrow and Dick approaching, followed by Tom and Sam.
"The wolves have Grinder treed," cried the guide. ”

“ It was fully an hour before Jasper Grinder was able to speak, and then he could say but little. But he explained how it was that he had been shot. He wanted to know if the wolves had been driven off, and begged that they would not leave him alone again.
"We'll stay by you, now you are down," said Dick sympathetically. "We are not brutes, even though we haven't any great love for you."
"Thank you; I'll not forget your kindness," returned Jasper Grinder, and for once it must be admitted that he meant what he said. ”

“ Without losing more time, Tom left the recess and hurried to the door of the stone cell.
"Sam!" he called out softly. "Are you in there?"
"No; I'm in here," came in the voice of Tubbs. "And—I'm almost frozen to—to—death." The last words with a chattering of teeth that told only too plainly how the rich youth was suffering.
"Sorry for you, Tubby, really I am. But where is Sam?"
"In the—the storeroom. Oh, Rover, won't you please ask Mr. Grinder to let me out? I'll freeze to death here, I know I will!"
"I'll do what I can. But he won't let you out. He isn't that kind of a fellow." ”

“ I presume you know what sort of a fellow Baxter is?"
"Well, rather," said Sam dryly.
"He is planning to do you a great deal of harm. Now I think I can save you."
"Then save us," said Tom. "Or untie us, and we will save ourselves."
"You can't save yourselves. Baxter is strong, and that guide is a giant in strength." ”

“ We could go hunting, and have lots of fun, even if we didn't find the treasure box."
"The treasure box was probably taken away years ago," said Randolph Rover. "Most likely several of the smugglers knew of it."
"And what of that ghost?" asked Anderson Rover, with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Pooh! we're not afraid of ghosts," sniffed Sam. "Are we, Tom?"
"If I saw a ghost, I'd be apt to pepper him with shot, if I had my gun," answered Tom. "No, I'm not afraid of such things—and neither is Dick."
"It would be a fine thing to find a big boxful of silver," said Dick seriously. ”

“ By this time the wildcat was close to Dick, and now, watching its opportunity, it leaped upon the youth, trying to bury its claws in Dick's shoulder.
Hardly knowing what to do, Dick brought around the gun barrel and poked it into the open mouth of the wildcat. With a gurgle of pain the beast fell back, but quickly gathered itself for another leap.
"Back!" shouted John Barrow. ”

“ Then the door was closed and locked, and Jasper Grinder hurried away with the key in his pocket, to make poor Tubbs a prisoner in the stone cell.
"Here's a pretty mess, and no mistake," thought Sam, as he sank on a bench, the only article of furniture the room contained. " I'm being treated worse than Tom was treated by old Crabtree when first we came to the Hall. And all because I called Tubby by his nickname! If this keeps on a fellow won't dare to breathe out loud when Grinder is around. What a passionate fellow he is at times! He glares at a fellow as if he was going to eat you up!" ”

“ At once a mass of snow came tumbling down and sifted in all directions, a good share on Tom's face.
"Hi! who's washing my face with snow?" cried Tom, as he opened his eyes and sat up. "That's a mean trick, Dick, on a fellow who is dead tired out."
"I didn't mean to do it, Tom. I was going outside, to see how the weather is. I reckon the snow is pretty deep."
The talking aroused the guide and Sam, and soon all were on their feet. The snow in the opening was pushed back and they forced their way outside, to find themselves in a drift up to their waists. ”

“ Tubbs was a boy of rich parentage, and while he was not particularly a bully, he considered himself of great importance and vastly superior to the majority of his associates.
"All right, Tubby; if it isn't so wonderful, just you jump up and do it," returned Sam coldly.
"Look here, how many times have I told you not to call me Tubby!" burst out the rich youth. "I don't like it at all." ”

“ Phew! what an appetite riding in this mountain air does give a fellow!"
"Can you ever remember the time when you wasn't without an appetite, Tom?" asked Nellie Laning, with a laugh.
"Never go so far into ancient history," he returned solemnly, and a general laugh followed.
Soon their outfit was safely housed in the barn, and then they entered the house, where the long supper table, filled with good things, awaited them. All three of the girls insisted upon waiting on the boys, and it proved as jolly a meal as they had ever eaten. ”

“ There, between the blaze and the tree under which John Barrow was sleeping, crouched a wildcat, a large, fierce-looking creature, with fire-shot eyes and a stubby tail which was moving noiselessly from side by side, as the creature prepared itself to make a leap.
"Gracious! he's going to attack Mr. Barrow!" thought Dick, but even as this flashed over his mind the wildcat made a leap into the tree, close to where hung the game the guide had brought down some hours before. ”

“ Grinder, may I ask what you have done with Sam?" he asked.
"I have placed him in confinement until Captain Putnam returns," was the snappy answer.
"Did you put him in the stone cell?"
"It is not for you to question me, Rover."
"In this cold weather it isn't fit for anybody to be in that stone cell. Sam may catch his death of cold."
"I am the best judge of my own actions, Rover, and need no advice from you. Your brother has broken the rules of this school, and must suffer for so doing."
"It's inhuman to make a fellow freeze," burst out Tom. "I don't believe Captain Putnam would do that." ”

“ The boys and John Barrow gazed at him curiously.
"His being with us presents a problem," said Dick. "What are we to do with him?"
"I'm sure I don't want him along," answered Sam promptly. He had not forgotten the treatment received at Putnam Hall.
"None of us want him, I take it, Sam. But we can't leave him behind to starve. And I doubt if he can find his way back to the Baxter camp alone."
"No, he can't do that," put in the guide. "It is easy to see he knows nothing of the woods and mountains. He was a fool to come here." ”

“ And he glared wickedly, first at Tom and then at Sam.
It must be confessed that Tom and Sam felt in anything but an enviable position. They knew Dan Baxter thoroughly, and knew he would stop at nothing to accomplish his purpose.
"The best thing you can do is to leave us alone," said Tom steadily. "You have always got the worst of the bargain, Dan Baxter, and if you try any game on now, you'll miss it again."
"I'll risk it, Tom Rover. Come now, and no more fooling. If you behave yourself, there won't be any trouble." ”

“ Yet the approaching man was not the teacher, but Peleg Snuggers, the man of all work around the Hall, a good-natured individual, well liked by nearly all the students. Snuggers was in the habit of taking many a joke from the scholars, yet he rarely retaliated, contenting himself with the saying that "boys will be boys."
"It's Snuggers!" whispered Sam, after a painful pause. "What shall we do?"
"Perhaps we can get him to keep quiet," returned Tom, also in a low voice. "He's a pretty good sort." ”

“ At last he gasped out:
"Dan Baxter and that big guide—they attacked me and I ran away. They—they are in possession of our traps."
"Baxter!" ejaculated Dick. "That's the worst yet. They'll steal all our things and leave us to starve!"
"We might as well go right after them," put in John Barrow.
"Oh, say, let's unearth this treasure first," pleaded Tom. "If we leave that, Baxter may follow up our tracks, as Sam did, and take it from under our very noses."
"Tom is right—get the treasure first," said Dick. ”

“ While still at a distance they saw faithful Alexander Pop come out on the broad piazza and wave his hand at them.
"There's Aleck!" cried Tom. "He's been on the watch!"
"There is father!" came from Sam, a moment later; "and aunt Martha and Uncle Randolph!"
Soon they turned into the lane, and Jack Ness brought the sleigh up to the piazza block in fine style. Tom was the first out and ran to greet his father, and then his uncle and his aunt, and the others followed.
"I am glad to see you back, boys," said Mr. Anderson Rover. "You all look first-rate." ”

“ As worn out as they were, they resumed the dragging of the sled through the snow. Once Sam had suggested they abandon the load, but Tom would not hear of this, for he knew they could not very well do without this portion of the outfit.
The wind was blowing heavily, and high over head they heard the tree-tops creak ominously. Once in a while a tree branch would unload itself, sending down a great mass of snow on their heads. But they pushed on, determined to rest no more until the others of the party should be sighted. ”

“ As soon as Peleg Snuggers had departed Jasper Grinder looked around the storeroom and the stone cell to learn if he could find any trace of the boys.
This gave Tom the chance to slip through the captain's private rooms and into the students' quarters.
"Well, how did you make out?" was Dick's impatient question. "You've been gone an age."
"Come with me and I'll tell you," said Tom, and taking his brother and several chums aside he related what had occurred.
"Keep them there all night, and on bread and water!" cried Dick. "It is awful. I'm sure the captain won't stand for it." ”

“ As Jasper Grinder spoke he leaped from the platform and strode rapidly toward the spot where Dick was standing.
The eldest Rover did not budge, but remained where he was, eying the enraged school-teacher determinedly.
"Don't you dare to strike!" he said warningly, as the cane was raised over his head.
"I will!" cried Jasper Grinder, and was about to bring the cane down with all force when Tom caught it from behind and wrenched it from his grasp. ”

“ I know all about what brought you here."
"And we know what brought you here," put in Sam.
"I suppose you fellows have a map, or something like it," went on Baxter, after a pause, during which he gazed curiously first at Tom and then at the youngest Rover.
"A map of what?" demanded Tom.
"A map whereby to find that treasure."
"If we have a map we'll take good care to keep it to ourselves," came from Sam, before he had taken time to think twice.
"Ha! then you have a map!" And now Dan Baxter's eyes brightened. "Where is it?" ”

“ Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were snowballing each other on the parade ground, and a shout went up.
"Dick Rover is coming back! Snuggers has brought Dick Rover back!"
"Take care of the horse, Snuggers," said Dick. "Do the right thing, and I won't forget to pay you at Christmas-time."
"All right, Master Rover; thank you," answered the man of all work.
Dick was at once surrounded, but before he could answer any questions he saw Captain Putnam, appear at one of the windows and at once went inside to greet him. ”

“ Without delay the Rover boys dropped behind the bushes, and John Barrow did the same. All kept as quiet as possible, for they knew that on the first alarm the wild turkeys would be off.
The game was not over six feet from the ground, sitting in three rows on as many branches of a hemlock that overhung the stream. There were over a dozen in the flock, each as plump as wild turkeys ever get.
"How shall we fire?" asked Dick. "There is no call for all of us to shoot at the same bird."
"I'll take one on the left," answered John Barrow. "You take one on the right. ”

“ Here, Tubbs, is some supper," and Dick passed over what he had in the napkins, while Tom did the same.
"Thanks," said the rich boy. "But—but must I stay here alone?"
"I don't think we can take you along," answered Dick. "But you want to be careful. Old Grinder is as mad as a hornet. He was going to cane me for helping you two. Come, Sam, there is no time to waste. Tubbs, you had better let Fred Garrison know where you are. He's all right."
In a moment more Dick, Tom, and Sam were in their own room and putting on their heavy overcoats and their hats. ”

“ Stanhope insisted upon it that he remain in bed, and brought him his breakfast with her own hands.
"Of course you must stay here, especially since Sam is sick," said Dora, while they were eating a breakfast of buckwheat cakes, honey, chops, and coffee. "He may not get worse, but if he does, one of you will have to take the horse and go for the doctor."
"Yes, we'll have to watch Sam," answered Dick. "But don't put yourselves to too much trouble on our account." ”

“ The doggerel, gotten up on the spur of the moment, struck the fancy of fully a score of boys, big and little, and in an instant all were singing it over and over again, at the top of their lungs, and at this those who did not sing began to laugh uproariously.
"I say, what's it all about?" demanded Tom, as he slid from the turning-bar.
"Songbird Powell has composed a comic opera in Tubby's honor," answered Larry Colby, one of the Rover boys' chums. "I guess he's going to have it put on the stage after the holidays, with Tubby as leading man." ”

“ And the owner of Putnam Hall laughingly agreed with Alexander.
"I trust that you will never be troubled by Dan Baxter again," said Dora Stanhope to Dick, after he had told her the story of the treasure hunt.
"I trust so myself," replied Dick. "But he's like a bad cent, sure to turn up when not wanted." Dick told the truth. How Dan Baxter turned up, and what he did to bring the Rovers more trouble, will be told in another volume, to be entitled, "The Rover Boys on Land and Sea; or, The Crusoes of Seven Islands," a tale full of happenings far out of the ordinary. ”

“ It was nightfall before Dick got back to the cottage. Of course his brothers and the others listened to his story with interest. Both Sam and Tom felt greatly relieved.
"If Grinder keeps on he'll kill himself in one of his fits," said Sam. "I hope he leaves before I go back to school."
"If I was you, I wouldn't go back until he does leave," said Tom. "I'm sure Mrs. Stanhope will let you stay here; won't you?"
"To be sure, Tom," answered the lady of the cottage. "But now Captain Putnam has made up his mind, you may be sure Mr. Grinder will not remain at the Hall many days." ”

“ John Barrow and Dick carried one sled, and Tom and Sam the other. In some places the cedars and brush were so thick that those in advance pushed through only with extreme difficulty.
"Well, we haven't got the task of breaking the way," said Tom, as he and Sam stopped to get their wind. "It's no fool job to break through this thicket."
"We are going up a hill," returned Sam. "We must be getting away from the river." ”

“ They had hoped that the storm would let up by noon, but twelve o'clock found the snow coming down as fast as ever, blotting out the landscape on every hand. Outside of the moaning of the wind all was as silent as a tomb.
There was but a little for the boys to do, and, after the fishing was over they were glad enough to take it easy in the shelter and listen to several stories John Barrow had to tell. The guide also related what he knew concerning Goupert and the various hunts made for the missing treasure.
"He must have been a fierce sort of a man in his day," observed Dick. ”

“ It was nipping cold, and, even with the window tightly closed and nailed over with slats, Sam could not endure it to remain on the bench long. Leaping up he began to stamp his feet and slap his arms across his chest to get them warm. Soon he heard Tubbs doing the same thing.
"I guess he's worse off than I am," thought the youngest Rover. "That stone cell hasn't any bench in it any more, and it must be twice as cold and damp as this room. It's a shame to put any one there in this freezing weather. ”