W. Crispin Sheppard

“ Once or twice the slim boy raised his rifle, only to lower it. The indistinct forms, darting hither and thither amidst the driving snow, were difficult to aim at.
Meanwhile, the fire began to die down.
"We're in for it now," said Bob. "Look lively, and don't waste a shot."
A few minutes passed. Then, like a flash, one of the wolves darted toward them.
Bob Somers, with arms that trembled for an instant, raised his gun. He saw the wide-open, savage mouth, the glaring eyes—then he pulled the trigger. ”

“ For a moment there was silence, then a roar of merriment broke forth.
"Oh, my!" laughed Nat Wingate, holding his sides; "this is the richest joke yet. It's Musgrove's work—ha, ha! That's the time he outdid old Yardsley."
"It's the biggest bonfire I ever saw," laughed Sam Randall. "Guess they must have seen those chaps chasing us across the lake."
A couple of dark figures were seen to emerge from a mass of trees to their left, and strike out on the lake.
"Sladder and Musgrove," asserted Bob Somers. "You can't mistake Muzzy for any one else." In a few moments the two joined them. ”

“ The train sped on, past snow-covered fields and rolling hills, over trestles, allowing momentary glimpses of ice-bound creeks, or ravines, purple and gray in the morning shadows.
At various towns, the train came to a halt. Several were manufacturing centres, where smoke rose lazily from chimneys, and jets of steam rivaled in their whiteness the dazzling snow. But the distances between these stopping places grew longer and longer, and when, at length, the conductor called out, "Stony Creek," the last town had been left miles behind. ”

“ Hackett took the lead. Right after him came Dave Brandon, while Bob Somers and Nat Wingate trailed in the rear, all moving in an awkward fashion. But at length they mastered the new form of locomotion sufficiently well to make good progress.
"My eye! look at that whopping big long-ears over there," cried Hackett; "if I'd only had my gun in hand," he added, regretfully, as the bunny disappeared.
"We are hunters brave and bold,
And fear not wind or cold—
When seeking game.
Big birds look out, and small ones fly away;
Wise bears and wolves won't join the fray—
For Hacky's after game." ”

“ Out of the corner of his eye, Bob saw Hackett's long legs fairly flying over the ground. But bruin was not particular as to whom he should charge. Lunging forward, the animal, with a hoarse growl, made directly for him.
Though his nerves tingled with excitement, Bob Somers quickly recovered his wits. As the bear rose on its hind legs, he fired point-blank.
His bullet only rendered the beast still more furious. Dropping upon all fours, and accompanying the act by another angry snarl, he charged again, with such suddenness and speed, that Bob Somers had scarcely time to dodge aside. ”

“ In places, the snow was covered with the tracks of animals and birds.
"There have been dozens of rabbits around here," asserted Bob. "And look—sure as I live—the trail of a fox."
"A fox?" echoed the others. "How do you know?"
"Because the footprints are almost in a straight line, and you can see the marks of the claws in front."
"My eye! I only wish I could get a shot at him," burst out Hackett, looking eagerly around, as if he expected to see a dozen foxes running to cover.
"Thought nothing would satisfy you but a wildcat or deer, Hacky," laughed Nat.
"A fox will do for a starter. ”

“ On one side, the hill sloped gently down to the shore of the lake.
"Isn't this a place for you, though?" asked Nat.
"You were lucky to come across it," declared Bob; "and it's sheltered from the northwest wind."
"Plenty of trees—maples and spruce—just the thing for our camp."
"And no fear of a snowslide," put in Dave; "the hill isn't steep enough for that. There's only one thing—"
"What is that, Chubby?"
"A thaw might make it unpleasant."
"Oh, pshaw!" said Hackett. "Why, it's getting colder—twice as cold every other minute. Let's fall to, fellows, and build a fire." ”

“ Piker's gang is there," said Musgrove. "A bully night, too, fur skatin'," he added.
The full moon gleamed brightly from a cloudless sky, sending the shadows of the dark trees in a delicate tracery over the foreground. The huts were edged with light, while beyond stretched a pale, ghostly expanse of snow, broken here and there by dark patches of trees and underbrush. Overhead, a few bright stars sparkled upon the field of blue.
"Big crowd of us, isn't there?" said Tom Clifton, with a glance over his shoulder, as all started for the lake.
"Sure," replied Sladder; "with Bowser, it makes ten. ”

“ The foremost fox leaped high in the air and fell motionless in the snow, while the other, with a flying leap, cleared a bush and disappeared from view.
"We got one, anyway!" cried Bob, exultantly. "Make sure he's finished, fellows," he added, as they ran toward their prize; "a fox can give a pretty nasty bite."
"This fellow never will!" exclaimed Dick. "What a beauty—a silver gray fox, too; that kind is rare."
"Guess we all shot at the same one," commented Bob. "Like 'Hatchet's' owl, this fellow ought to be stuffed," he added, meditatively. ”

“ Hackett gave a lusty shout. "Hello, you pill-throwers," he cried; "look across the lake, and run for the fire company around the corner. Whoop—your shanty's a goner!"
Hostilities ceased on the instant. Piper and his companions gave one shout, and then began a rapid flight toward their camp.
"It's getting bigger and bigger," declared Travers, excitedly.
"I'd bet on those chaps in a race, now, Hacky," said Sam Randall. "Shall we go over and give them a hand?"
With all speed, the boys strapped on their skates, and, fairly leaping over the snow, made for the ice. ”

“ The animal rose on its hind legs and pitched forward in the snow.
"Hurrah! and with only one charge!" cried Bob, his eyes bright with excitement.
The loud report and flash of fire from the gun sent the other wolves back a few paces, but it was only for a moment.
"There's but one thing to be done, and that mighty quickly!" exclaimed Bob. "Wonder we didn't think of it before."
"What's that?"
"Climb the cliff. Once out of their reach, it will be easy to pick them off."
"Guess you are right. But they won't give us much chance to get up. If a fellow should slip—" Hackett shuddered. ”

“ Breathing hard, the boys reached the place where the buck had been.
"Look at his tracks, fellows!" cried Bob. "He went off right toward those woods."
"We may get a shot at him yet."
"Don't believe there's any chance of it."
"Come on, anyway!" exclaimed Sam Randall.
The boys had no difficulty in following the tracks, but the sad realization that their efforts would lead to nothing soon forced itself upon them.
"I can't keep up this gait," gasped Sam, his tones evincing the greatest disappointment.
"Neither can I," said Bob.
"It's a little worse than missing a train," added Dick, dolefully. ”

“ So the boys pushed on, the trail leading in and out among the trees. The woods grew more dense, and as there were no signs of its coming to an end, a halt was soon made.
"Have to leave it for another time, fellows," said Bob. "Wait until we get to hunting in earnest."
"A good rabbit stew just now would be better than a wild buck chase," grinned Sam, who had recovered from his disappointment. "Let's hurry back and start some cooking."
They had wandered further from camp than any had imagined, and all three were thoroughly tired and cold when the gray expanse of lake appeared in view. ”

“ Then, from behind a clump of trees, to the astonishment of all, Musgrove, Sladder and Bowser stepped slowly forth.
The Stony Creek boys presented a strange and picturesque appearance. Their cheeks were liberally daubed with red and white chalk; each wore a thick bunch of goose feathers in his cap, and carried in his right hand a club of tremendous size.
"We're the Unterrified Band of Near-Bandits!" roared Sladder, swinging his club vigorously.
"An' ain't afear'd of nothin' that walks!" yelled Musgrove. "Ha, ha—Pardsley won't never try no more funny tricks on us—ha, ha!" ”

“ When the meal was over, all hands set to work on the second hut, and when lunch time arrived, it was well under way.
In the early afternoon, Bob Somers, accompanied by Sam and Dick, set off. They ascended the hill, which was thickly wooded, making their way around the underbrush and huge snow-drifts.
At the top, they paused to look around. A succession of rolling hills stretched off to the limits of view. In the grip of the snow king, the country looked barren and wild. Here and there a tree higher than its neighbors outlined its black, gaunt limbs against the sky. ”

“ Wolves are bad customers at this time of the year. I suppose," added Robson, with a smile, "you thought something terrible had happened?"
"Yes, we did," admitted Dick. "Where are the other fellows—how did you manage to make that signal alone?"
"They just left, a short time ago," answered Robson. "The weather looks pretty threatening, doesn't it? Well, we concluded that it would be best to get in as much game as possible."
"Do you think it's going to be as bad as all that?" asked Tom Clifton, anxiously.
"It's hard to say; after all, it may be nothing worse than an ordinary snow-storm. ”

“ The trapper shook his head. "Yer kin see 'em, but they ain't plentiful."
The lake was soon crossed, and on reaching the opposite shore they found themselves in a pine forest, dark, sombre and silent. In about twenty minutes the trapper held out his hand as a signal to halt.
"We're right by the shore," he whispered, "an' the geese is somewhere near."
Silently, the group spread out, each one heading for the lake, which could be seen between the trees.
To the eager and expectant hunters, it seemed an age before they reached the edge of the woods. Again Yardsley held up his hand. ”

“ To their surprise, however, the hunters from across the lake greeted them pleasantly.
"Boys," said Robinson, with an embarrassed air, "too bad about that little misunderstanding we had the other night. We were certain it was you who rolled the snowball."
"Why didn't you take a little time to find out?" interposed Nat Wingate, curtly, with a flash of his brown eyes.
"Oh, come now," put in Heydon, "no hard feelings. We're not any of us perfect, you know."
"Well," said Hackett, "what made you fellows change your minds, after being so sure?" ”

“ CHAPTER XV A PRACTICAL JOKE
This catastrophe was witnessed with much astonishment.
"Great Cæsar—look at that!" cried Bob Somers.
"My eye! Did you ever see such a tumble?" exclaimed Hackett.
Then, as Sladder and Musgrove, almost up to their necks in the white mass, floundered and kicked to regain an upright position, Hackett, Nat Wingate and several of the others burst forth into the most uproarious peals of laughter.
"Bring a derrick," roared Nat. "Stand up straight, Musgrove. Don't you know enough not to dive on land?" ”

“ The wind had sprung up, and, as it moaned and sighed around the corner of the "Backwoods Hotel," sending the old sign creaking forth and back, to mingle its dismal sound with the soughing of the tree-tops, it made the comfortable interior seem all the more agreeable.
But the boys were anxious to get up early next morning, so they bade Silas Riggs and several of the guests a cheery good-night and repaired to their rooms.
Immediately after breakfast, boxes and packages were opened.
"We ought to be well fixed, with all that stuff," observed Dick Travers. ”

“ Both shouldered their guns and started off, at intervals Musgrove's laugh ringing out.
"Mighty funny fellows, I call 'em," said Nat. "Isn't it odd that we should meet that great hunter, Tim Sladder? And it's an 'undeniable fact' that Billy Musgrove is a cool one. Hasn't he the biggest mouth you ever saw?"
"He needs to be taken down a peg or two," growled Hackett. "Little, sawed-off turnip thinks he can skate, eh? I'll show him. The nerve of the chap—'Say what's your name?' I had a mind to flop him in the snow."
"Oh, ho!" laughed Dave; "to flop one of our guardians in the snow, that's too much. ”

“ It's a good sign. We know that town boys can be hunters, and trappers gentlemen, and that a dinner in the wilds can furnish more enjoyment than one in the richest dining-room. I think I voice the sentiments of all, when I say that we greatly appreciate the efforts of our host, John Yardsley, and that we are thankful the bear furnished a meal for us, and not Bob Somers for the bear."
A burst of cheers arose, as the poet laureate, beaming good-naturedly, sat down, and Musgrove was heard to remark, "There's a smart lad fur yer, Tim—talks like one of the real speechers." ”

“ No doubt that fellow Yardsley thinks we stole his furs—I could read it in your face."
"We're not responsible for another person's opinion," observed Hackett, a little disappointed that the row had not assumed larger proportions.
"Still I notice that no one has the sand to let me know what he said." Piper spoke in a most sarcastic tone, and glanced from Hackett to Wingate.
Nat's brown eyes flashed. "You'll admit yourself, Piper," he blurted out, "that it looks mighty singular. Just at the time we are sent for, the furs happen to disappear. ”

“ What's the matter with that brute?"
"Don't you think a dog feels the cold jest like humans, Swiper?" interposed Musgrove.
"Seems to me it's more of a great big calf than a canine," laughed Piper. "Pretty heavy storm we had, eh? It was a job clearing away some of the snow-drifts. Seems to me I never worked so hard in my life. How did you fellows make out?"
"Well, Piper," replied Nat Wingate, sitting in an indolent fashion near the stove, "there was excitement on our side of the lake, and plenty of it, too."
"Bob Somers and Hackett had an awful time," ventured Tom Clifton. ”

“ Where are the other fellows, Somers?"
"They can't be far ahead."
"Better be going now, or we may get separated," said Hackett, presently. "Can you see the tracks still?"
"Yes, but they are very faint."
Hackett rubbed his forehead. "I'm getting all right, now; sail ahead."
"Bother the snow," said Bob. "It's so thick a fellow can't see more than a few feet."
"My eye! I don't like this," declared Hackett, nervously; "Yardsley is the only one who can find his way back to camp in this storm."
"And I can scarcely make out the trail any more." ”