Edward Stratemeyer

“ Breakfast was certainly a slim affair, each person getting a small bite of duck, two crackers, a spoonful of cold beans Shep had brought along, and a drink of melted snow. Several gazed wistfully at the rabbit, but Snap shook his head at them.
"We've got to save that," he said. "You know that as well as I do."
"Don't you suppose there are some birds or squirrels or rabbits around here?" asked Shep.
"We can look—if the storm will let us."
Breakfast over, one after another of the young hunters went beyond the clump of spruces to look around. ”

“ The shot had entered the heart of the turkey, killing it instantly, and its single flutter had only served to wedge it fast in the tree crotch.
"Boys, it is growing colder," announced Snap, as they proceeded.
"As if we didn't know it," answered Giant, slapping his hands together.
"And I think it is going to snow some more," went on Snap.
"Pooh! who cares!" cried Whopper. "I am going to get one of those deer if I die for it."
"So say I!" put in Shep. "Remember, we ought to get quite some game on hand, in case we get snowed in at the camp." ”

“ It was easy to see that the cabin was a total wreck. Snap heaved a mountainous sigh and so did the others.
"We'll have to clear all this stuff away and build a brand new cabin," said Shep. "All these old logs are good for is firewood."
"That is true, Shep," answered Snap. "What I am thinking of is, what are we to do to-night? We can't stay out in the open air. It is growing colder every minute."
"Well, I am not going home," came quickly from Giant. "I'd rather freeze!"
"Who said anything about going home?" demanded Whopper. "Why, I wouldn't go home in a thousand years, cabin or no cabin. ”

“ You bet I'm glad, Snap! Why I've been watching for this storm for about six months!"
"There you go, Whopper!" answered Charley Dodge, with a grin. "Six months indeed! Why, we haven't been home six months."
"Well, it seems that long anyway," said Frank Dawson, who was usually called Whopper by his chums, because of his exaggerations when speaking. "I've just been aching to see it snow."
"So that we can take that trip we proposed," put in Sheppard Reed, quickly. "I guess we are all waiting for that." ”

“ A few minutes later the first flakes fell, and fearful that the snow would interfere with their sight of any wild ducks they hurried forward until they reached a circle of bushes Jack Dalton had mentioned.
"Wait, I see some ducks!" cried Giant. "See, they are rising and coming this way!"
"Be quick!" cried Snap, and brought around his shotgun. The others also aimed their weapons, and as the wild ducks sailed almost over them they let drive in a scattering volley. Two of the ducks were killed outright and came straight down, while a third circled around badly wounded. ”

“ The wood was heaped up and then, in a hollow in the snow underneath, Shep dumped out some of the carbide from the can. Then he lit a match, held it to the snow, to melt the latter a little, and up blazed the gas, at first slowly and then more furiously, until the fire was roaring.
"Why, how is that!" cried the old hunter. "Never knew snow to set fire to anything in my life."
"It is very simple, Jed," explained Shep. "As soon as the snow melts it turns to water, and the water, soaking the carbide, generates acetylene gas, which burns about the same as gas in a city." ”

“ Snap was a trifle pale.
"What a narrow escape!" he murmured. "I thought sure he was going to horn me!"
"A buck will fight sometimes and when he does he's as ugly as any critter on four legs," said Jed Sanborn. "I might have fixed him with my first shot only Shep bumped into me. But I know he didn't mean to do it," added the old hunter hastily.
"I didn't see you—I was looking at the other deer," explained the doctor's son.
"Can we get any more of 'em?" demanded Whopper.
"Whopper always wants a dozen or two," laughed Giant.
"No more deer to-day, lad," said Jed Sanborn. ”

“ The increase in wind was rapid and by the time Snap and Shep drew close to where Whopper and Giant were still floundering, it carried the loose snow around in a perfect whirlwind.
"Can't you crawl out?" asked Snap, coming as close as he dared.
"Every time we try we seem to sink deeper!" gasped Giant. ”

“ Again the tramp's face fell. He got up slowly and prepared to accompany the boys. There was nothing more to say, and kicking out the fire, the young hunters told Kiddy Leech to follow them. He came slowly, and caught hold off Shep's arm to steady himself. His breath still smelt of liquor, something that disgusted both lads.
The ice reached, Shep and Whopper cut a long bush and on it placed the deer.
"What's that for?" asked Kiddy beech, in curiosity.
"It is easier to drag the deer than to carry it," answered Whopper.
"The branch will act as a kind of sled." ”

“ In the meantime Whopper had followed Shep, and both were doing what they could for the old woman.
"See here, Snap Dodge, I don't want you to talk to me," blustered Carl
Dudder. "I know my own business."
"You ought to be knocked down for throwing at Mammy Shrader."
"You can't knock me down!" growled Carl, doubling up his fists.
"A fight! a fight!" cried several boys, always ready for an affair of that sort. ”

“ As Snap had said at camp, the fire brightened things up wonderfully and both boys felt lighter-hearted as the ruddy glare lit up the scene. They found something of a circular hollow under the cliff with a big fallen tree just beyond it. They brought the fire to one side of this hollow, and banked up the snow on the other side, and soon the shelter began to grow warm. Then they brought in the deer and hung the game in a fork of the fallen tree.
"Lucky we brought that lunch along," said Shep. "I am as hungry as a bear." ”

“ With the fall of the hind one, the others reached the shelter of the dense timber and in a second more were completely out of sight, and running as only frightened deer can run when they know it is a case of life or death for them.
When the two young hunters reached the side of the fallen deer it was just breathing its last.
The bullet from the rifle had entered its side and the buckshot had struck in the neck and shoulder.
"We both brought him down," said Shep.
"Pity we didn't get the others," grumbled Whopper.
"Well, one is better than nothing." ”

“ The young hunters were more alarmed than ever. They felt that they must be miles from camp. Night was now upon them, and the storm, instead of clearing away, was growing worse every minute.
"I don't think we can reach camp to-night," said Shep, as bravely as he could, although his voice trembled slightly. "We'll have to try and make ourselves as comfortable as possible elsewhere."
"What, right out here in the woods!"
"No, we can hunt for some sort of shelter, Whopper."
"Don't you think we can find the lake? If we once found that we could keep on along the shore until we struck our camp." ”

“ As the sun came up it made the great drifts of snow glitter and sparkle in a manner which was dazzling.
"Oh, look!" screamed Giant, just as they were getting ready to set out. "There's a shot for somebody!" and he caught up his gun.
Over the spruce trees a flock of wild ducks were soaring, evidently searching for food. They came quite close, and all of the young hunters blazed away, in rapid succession. Six of the ducks came down, one so straight that it hit Whopper directly on the head, almost knocking him over.
"There's luck for you!" cried Snap, gleefully, "We've got a few ducks anyway." ”

“ CHAPTER XIV IN WHICH A TRAMP DISAPPEARS "I know what I am going to do to-day," said Giant, on the following morning. "I am going fishing through a hole in the ice. I am just hungry for a bit of fresh fish for breakfast."
"I want to fish myself," answered Whopper. "If you don't mind, I'll go with you."
Snap beckoned his chums to the outside of the shelter. The tramp still lay on his couch but was awake.
"Let us take turns at fishing," said the leader of the Gun Club, in a low tone. "Two can fish and two watch the tramp,—until he clears out." ”

“ Who would be so mean!"
"Perhaps it was Carl Dudder," answered Giant.
"Or Ham Spink," came from Shep.
"It was certainly done by an enemy," said Snap. "But I shouldn't dare to accuse anybody unless I was certain."
"You are right there," answered the doctor's son. "Burning a building is a serious piece of business."
"Yes, and blowing up a place with dynamite is serious, too," added
Whopper. "Why, it's a wonder the whole town didn't sail skyward!" ”

“ Their hearts beat rapidly as they walked down the hill to the edge of the lake. They had to pass a bend and then came in sight of the camp.
"The flag is down!" cried Giant, in some disappointment.
"I reckon the blizzard was too much for it," answered Snap. "But let that go, so long as the shelter itself is all right."
They almost broke into a run on the last quarter mile, so eager were they to see the condition of things. At last they caught sight of Birch Tree Inn. It looked to be exactly as they had left it.
"Thank fortune for that," began Shep, when Whopper uttered a cry. ”

“ Snap took a firebrand and gazed down into the snow.
"Blood," he said, pointing to the spots. "I certainly hit him."
"And it must have been a bear, by the big tracks," said Giant. "Very likely the one that attacked me on the ice."
"We must get that bear," said Whopper. "But not to-night."
"Yes, we must get that bear by all means," added the doctor's son.
"I vote somebody remain on guard," said Snap. "That beast may come back at any time. Doubtless he is very hungry, and a hungry bear is usually pretty desperate." ”

“ Fortunately Shep had a pocket cup with him, and in that they had to melt snow to get water to drink.
"Well, I am glad the night is over," declared Whopper. "I declare, I don't want to pass another like it!"
"Let us be thankful that it was no worse," answered the doctor's son. "Supposing we had not found this shelter, or supposing that match had gone out, or supposing we hadn't shot the deer—"
"Stop, Shep! I am blue enough already. I'll tell you what it is: By hook or by crook, we must get back to camp before to-night. If we don't the others will be worried to death about us, I am sure." ”

“ Whopper, passing over the shotgun and laying aside his rifle.
The others assisted him to reach the lower limbs of the silver maple, and up he went from one branch to another until he stood directly beneath the wild turkey. He put forth his hand with caution.
"Be careful," cried Shep. "If the turkey is still alive he may show fight and try to peck out your eyes."
Shielding himself as best he could, Whopper presently caught the turkey by one foot. He pulled gently at first and then gave a strong yank. Down came the game from the crotch of the tree, and Whopper almost lost his balance. ”

“ The home-made chimney was wide open at the top, so a good deal of heat was lost, yet enough remained below to warm the shelter nicely.
"I tell you, a fire makes all the difference in the world!" declared Snap, as he pulled off his outer coat and cap and sat down close to the chimney. "No matter how forlorn or lonely a fellow feels, a fire is bound to brighten him up and make him feel on better terms with himself." ”

“ They had some trouble with Ham Spink, a dudish youth from Fairview, who, with some cronies, located a rival camp across the lake, but this was quickly quelled. Then, during a forest fire, they captured a long-wanted criminal, and came home at last loaded down with game, and with the firm determination to go out camping again during the winter.
"We couldn't spend our time more pleasantly," was what Snap said. "Just think of a cozy camp in the snow, with a roaring camp-fire, and plenty of game on all sides of you! Um! um! It's enough to make a fellow's mouth water!" ”

“ At this the men broke into a rage and began to threaten the young hunters in various ways. They had brought over the deer meat merely to smooth matters over, so that they could get the ammunition, which they needed sorely.
"Look here, if you threaten us any more, I'll have you up before the squire," said Snap, at last. "You clear out and leave us alone." And then, in high dudgeon, Giles Faswig and Vance Lemon departed, taking the deer meat with them. On their way back to their own camp they met the big bear, and in fright dropped the meat and ran for their lives. ”

“ For the first time since leaving the shelter Giant wished he had brought along his shotgun. What if some game should suddenly appear?
"If a deer should come along and I couldn't shoot it, it would make me sick," he told himself. "And game is always sure to come along when you haven't a gun."
Giant had now seven fish, four of good size. He decided to wait for just one more, then wind up and go back to the shelter. It was rather cold sitting at the fishing hole and his feet were beginning to feel very much like the ice under them. ”

“ We'll give you plenty of lunch, so you won't starve."
"It's hard lines on a fellow who hasn't a cent to his name," whined the tramp. His manhood had evidently deserted him completely.
The young hunters looked at each other questioningly. They did not want to be hard on anybody who was in distress. Snap put his hand in his pocket.
"I'll give you a quarter," he said, and passed over the silver coin.
"So will I," added Shep. And then Giant and Whopper also handed over twenty-five cents each, making a dollar in all.
"Much obliged," said Kiddy Leech, pocketing the silver with satisfaction. ”

“ Then he made another turn, presently reaching the spot where our heroes and the other lads were having their sport.
"Hi! here comes old Felps!" cried Giant. "We ought to give him something to remember us by!"
"Don't you do it!" returned Snap quickly. "He doesn't know what fun is, and he'd be sure to make trouble."
Some other boys were coming up, and the snowballs began to fly more furiously than ever. Snap, Shep, Whopper and Giant were on one side, and a boy named Carl Dudder and five other town lads on the other side. ”

“ The boys enjoyed every minute of the time, and with the bear scare at an end, they went hunting and fishing to their hearts' content. Giant and Whopper caught a mess of sixteen fish, large and small, and Shep and Snap laid low half a dozen rabbits, some squirrels, and also a beautiful brook mink of which they were very proud.
"It is too bad that our outing must soon come to an end," said the leader of the Gun Club. ”

“ Whopper was determined to go ahead after the deer and so was Shep, while Snap and Giant insisted upon returning to the camp.
"I'll tell you what's let do," said Whopper. "Two of us can go on and two go back. That's fair."
"And the two to go back can take the game to camp," added Shep. "There is no use of our carrying it with us. And, besides, if we get a deer, that will be a big load for us."
"Aren't you afraid of a big snow coming on?" questioned Snap.
"Oh, this snow won't amount to anything," declared the doctor's son. ”