THE CAMPFIRE AND TRAIL SERIES WITH TRAPPER JIM IN THE NORTH WOODS

 BY LAWRENCE J. LESLIE

 1913

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. WHAT LUCK DID FOR THE CHUMS

II. HOW POOR TOBY WAS "RESCUED"

III. WHAT WOODCRAFT MEANT

IV. THE SECRETS OF TRAPPING

V. WHAT CAME DOWN THE CHIMNEY

VI. STEVE STARTS GAME

VII. THE UNWELCOME GUEST

VIII. SMOKING THE INTRUDER OUT

IX. BEFORE THE BLAZING LOGS

X. THE TRAIL OF THE CLOG

XI. "STEADY, STEVE, STEADY!"

XII. THE END OF A THIEF

XIII. A GLIMPSE OF THE SILVER FOX

XIV. THE PURSUIT

XV. GLORIOUS NEWS

XVI. SURPRISING BRUIN--Conclusion

WITH TRAPPER JIM IN THE NORTH WOODS. 

[Illustration: "THE SILVER FOX!"]

CHAPTER I. 

WHAT LUCK DID FOR THE CHUMS. 

"It was a long trip, fellows, but we're here at last, thank goodness!"

"Yes, away up in the North Woods, at the hunting lodge of Trapper Jim!"

"Say, it's hard to believe, and that's a fact. What do you say about it, you old stutterer, Toby Jucklin?"

"B-b-bully!" exploded the boy, whose broad shoulders, encased in a blueflannel shirt, had been pounded when this question was put directly athim. 

There were five of them, half-grown boys all, lounging about in the mostcomfortable fashion they could imagine in the log cabin which Old JimRuggles occupied every fall and winter. 

"Trapper Jim" they called him, and these boys from Carson had long beenyearning to accept the hearty invitation given to spend a week or twowith the veteran woodsman. A year or so back Jim had dropped down to seehis brother Alfred, who was a retired lawyer living in their home town. And it was at this time they first found themselves drawn toward JimRuggles. 

When he heard of several little camping experiences which had befallenToby Jucklin and his chums, the trapper had struck up a warm friendshipwith the boy who seemed to be the natural leader of the lot, MaxHastings. 

Well, they had been writing back and forth this long time. Eagerly hadthe boys planned a visit to the North Woods, and bent all their energiestoward accomplishing that result. 

And now, at last, they found themselves under the shelter of the roofthat topped Old Jim's cabin. Their dreams had come true, so that severalweeks of delightful experiences in the great Northern forest lay beforethem. 

Besides Toby Jucklin, who stuttered violently at times, and Max Hastings, who had had considerable previous experience in outdoor life, there wereSteve Dowdy, whose quick temper and readiness to act without consideringthe consequences had long since gained him the name of "Touch-and-GoSteve"; Owen Hastings, a cousin to Max, and who, being a great reader, knew more or less about the theory of things; and last, but not least, aboy who went by the singular name of "Bandy-legs" Griffin. 

At home and in school they called him Clarence; but his comrades, just asall boys will do, early in his life seized upon the fact of his lowerlimbs being unusually short to dub him "Bandy-legs. "

Strange to say, the Griffin lad never seemed to show the least resentmentin connection with this queer nickname. If the truth were told, he reallypreferred having it, spoken by boyish lips, than to receive that detestedname of Clarence. 

These five boys had come together with the idea of having a good time inthe great outdoors during vacation days. 

And Fortune had been very kind to them right in the start. Although Maxalways declared that it was some remark of his cousin that put him on thetrack, and Owen on his part vowed that the glory must rest with Maxalone, still the fact remained that once the idea popped up it waseagerly seized upon by both boys. 

They needed more or less cash with which to purchase tents, guns, andsuch other things as appeal to boys who yearn to camp out, fish, hunt, and enjoy the experiences of outdoor life. 

As the Glorious Fourth had exhausted their savings banks, this brightidea was hailed with more or less glee by the other three members of theclub. 

It was not an original plan, but that mattered nothing. Success was whatthey sought, and to attain it the boys were quite willing to follow anyold beaten path. 

An account of valuable pearls being found in mussels that were picked upalong certain streams located in Indiana, Arkansas, and other states, suggested the possibility of like treasures near at home. 

Now, Carson, their native town, lay upon the Evergreen River; and thisstream had two branches, called the Big Sunflower and the Elder. The boysknew that there were hundreds of mussels to be found up the formerstream. They had seen the shells left by hungry muskrats, and evengathered a few to admire the rainbow-hued inside coating, which Owen toldthem was used in the manufacture of pearl buttons. 

But up to that time no one apparently had dreamed that there might be asnug little fortune awaiting the party who just started in to gather themussels along the Big Sunflower. 

This Max and his chums had done. Their success had created quite anexcitement around Carson. 

When it was learned what was going on, farm hands deserted their dailytasks; boys quit loafing away the vacation days, and even some of thosewho toiled in the factories were missing from their looms. 

Everybody hunted for pearls. The little Big Sunflower never saw suchgoings on. They combed its waters over every rod of the whole mile wherethe fresh-water clams seemed to exist. 

When the furor was over, and there were hardly half a hundred wretchedmussels left in the waters that had once upon a time fairly teemed withthem, the results were very disappointing. 

Two or three small pearls had been found, it is true, but the majority ofthe seekers had to be satisfied with steamed mussels, or fresh-water clamchowder, as a reward for their hard work. 

The wide-awake boys who first conceived the idea had taken the cream ofthe pickings. And from a portion of the money secured through the sale ofthese beautiful pearls they had purchased everything needed to fill theheart of a camper with delight. 

Here, as the afternoon sun headed down toward the western horizon, theboys, having arrived by way of a buckboard wagon at noon, were lookinginto the flames of Trapper Jim's big fire in the log cabin, and mentallyshaking hands with each other in mutual congratulation over their goodfortune. 

There was a decided tang of frost in the air, which told that the summerseason was gone and early fall arrived. 

It might seem strange that these boys, who in October might be expectedto be deep in the fall school term, should be away from home and up inthe wilderness. 

That was where Good Luck remembered them again, and the explanation issimple enough. 

Even in the well-managed town of Carson, school directors sometimesneglected their work. And in this year, when the vacation period wasthree quarters over, the discovery was made that the big building was insuch a bad condition that certain extensive repairs would have to bemade. 

In consequence, greatly to the delight of the older scholars, it wasdecided that school for them could not take up until the middle ofNovember. 

As soon as Max learned of this delightful fact he knew the time had comefor their long-promised visit to Trapper Jim. 

They had been tempted to go during the summer months, but as there waslittle to do in the woods at that period of the year save fishing, theboys had been holding off. 

Now they could expect to use their guns; to see how Jim set his cunningtraps that netted him such rich rewards each winter season, and to enjoyto the full that most glorious time of the whole year in the woods, theautumn season, when the leaves are colored by the early frosts and thefirst ice forms on the shores of the little trout streams. 

As the afternoon passed they recovered from the effects of the longrailroad journey overnight and the joggling buckboard experience. Athousand questions had been fired at Jim, who was a good-humored oldfellow with a great love for boys in his heart. 

"Take things kind of easy to-day, boys, " he kept on saying, when theywanted to know why he didn't get busy and show them all the wonderfulthings he had in store for his lively young visitors. "I want you to restup and be in good trim for to-morrow. Plenty of time to begin work then. Knock around and see what it looks like where Old Jim has had his huntinglodge this seven years back. "

So they did busy themselves prying into things. And between that hour anddark there were very few spots around the immediate neighborhood thatthey had not examined. 

Jim's stock of well-kept Victor steel traps were commented on, andstories listened to in connection with this one or that. No wonder thehunting instinct in the lads was pretty well aroused by the time they hadheard some of these stirring accounts. 

"If the whole bunch of traps could only talk, now, " declared Owen, as hehandled a big one meant for bear, "wouldn't they make the shivers run upand down our backbones, though?"

Trapper Jim only smiled. 

He had a thousand things to tell the boys, but, of course, he did notwant to exhaust the subject in the beginning. By degrees they should hearall about his many adventures. It would be his daily pleasuresto thrill his boy visitors with these truthful stories as they gatheredeach night around the roaring fire and rested after the day's work. 

The shades of night, their very first night in those wonderful NorthWoods of which they had dreamed so long, were fast gathering now. 

Already the shadows had issued forth from their hiding places, and thewoods began to assume a certain gloomy look. 

Later on, the moon, being just past the full, would rise above the top ofthe distant hills toward the east. Then the woods might not seem sostrangely mysterious. 

"When you're ready to begin getting supper, Uncle Jim, " said Max, "youmust let us lend a hand. We don't know it all by a long sight, but we cancook some, and eat--wait till you see Steve begin, and Toby--Why, hello, here we've been chattering away like a flock of crows and never noticedthat our chum Toby was missing all the while!"

"Missing!" echoed Steve, jumping up eagerly at the prospect of theirfirst adventure coming along; and no doubt already picturing all of themstalking through the big timber, lanterns and torches in hand, searchingfor the absent chum. 

"Who saw him last?" asked Max. 

"Why, a little before dark, " Owen answered, promptly, "I noticed himprowling around out among the trees. He called out that a cottontailrabbit had jumped up and was just daring him to chase after her. "

"Looks like he accepted the dare, all right, " said Bandy-legs. 

"Where's a lantern? I choose a lantern. You other fellows can carry thetorches, because I got burned the last time I tried that game. "

Steve was already beginning to hunt around as he talked, when TrapperJim, who had meanwhile gone and opened the door of the cabin, called tothem to be still. 

"I thought I heard him right then, " he said, "and it sounded to me likehe was calling for help. Get both those lanterns, boys, and light 'em. We've got to look into this thing right away. "

CHAPTER II. 

HOW POOR TOBY WAS "RESCUED. "

Of course the greatest excitement followed this announcement on the partof the old trapper. 

Steve darted this way and that, fairly wild to do something; andBandy-legs, too, showed himself anxious to help. But, as usual, it wascool Max, assisted by Owen, who managed to light the two lanterns. 

Steve pounced on the first one that was ready, true to his word. 

"Come on, you slow pokes!" he exclaimed, making for the door; "why, ourpoor chum might be drowning for all we know, and us wasting time here. "

"Oh, I reckon it ain't so bad as that, " remarked Trapper Jim. "Hard todrown a tall boy in a three-foot deep crick. Besides, he's _up_ the windfrom here, while the water lies the other way. That's one reason none ofus heard him before. "

They were all hurrying along by now. Bandy-legs, being a little timid, and not altogether liking the looks of the dark woods, had picked up thegun belonging to Max. 

"My goodness!" he called out after the others, being in the rear of thelittle procession, "there's no telling how long poor old Toby might 'a'been letting out his whoops, and with that door shut we didn't hear him. "

"Well, we can right now, all right!" called back Steve, who was runningneck and neck with the trapper, swinging his lighted lantern in such areckless, haphazard fashion that he was in momentary danger of smashingthe useful article against some tree. 

They could all hear Toby calling very clearly now. 

"Help! Oh, h-h-help!"

"One thing sure, " Max remarked; "Toby hasn't tumbled down into a hollowtree stump! His yells sound too plain for that. "

"Oh, shucks; forget it!" said Bandy-legs. 

Some time before, while the boys were hunting for Bandy-legs, who hadbecome lost in a large swamp not twenty miles away from Carson, they hadfinally found him, caged fast inside a large hollow stump. He had climbedto the top of this to take an observation, when the rotten wood, givingway, had allowed him to fall inside. 

It had been a bitter experience for Bandy-legs, and his chums nevermentioned it without him shivering, as memory again carried him back tothe hours of suffering he had spent in his woody prison. 

As they advanced the cries grew louder:

"H-h-help! Boys, oh, b-b-boys, come q-q-quick! I can't h-h-hold on muchlonger!"

"Say, he must be away up in a tree!" exclaimed Steve. 

"No, his voice sounds closer to the ground than that, " declared Max. 

"Tell you what, " panted Bandy-legs from behind, "he's just gone and fellover some old cliff, that's what. You know how clumsy Toby is. "

That sounded rather queer, since it was the speaker himself who hadalways been getting into scrapes because of this trait. 

"Cliff!" snorted Steve, "like to know how anybody could ever fall up acliff. You mean a precipice, silly. "

"Guess I do, " admitted Bandy-legs, "but it's all the same. If you're ontop it's a precipice, and if you're down below--"

"Listen to him holler, would you?" interrupted Steve. "Hold on, Toby, we're coming as fast as we c'n sprint! Keep up a little longer! It's allright! Your pards are on the job!"

Max thought he saw Trapper Jim laughing about this time. From this heimagined the other must have guessed the true state of affairs, and thatpoor Toby could not be in such desperate straits as they believed. 

The darkness was intense there under the trees. 

Several times did impulsive Steve stumble over obstacles which in hiseagerness he had failed to notice. 

Trapper Jim was doubtless sizing the various boys up by degrees, and longbefore now he had read most of their leading characteristics. But anyonewould be able to know the headstrong nature of Steve Dowdy, after beingin his company for an hour. 

"Where are you, Toby, old fellow?" called Steve. 

"H-h-here! L-l-lookout, or you'll f-f-fall over, too, " came weakly from apoint just ahead of them. 

"Oh, didn't I tell you?" shouted Bandy-legs. "It is a _precipice_ afterall, and p'r'aps an awful high one! Hold on, Toby, don't you dare letloose when we're right at hand. "

Max had felt a thrill again at the prospect of such a peril threateningToby. But another look at Trapper Jim reassured him. 

"Yes, " said Jim, "be mighty careful how you step, boys. Get down on yourhands and knees and creep up here to the edge of the awful chasm. Now, hold the lanterns down, so we can all of us see. "

Cautiously did the alarmed Steve do as he was told. Four pairs of eagereyes took in the situation. Amazement staggered the boys for the space often seconds. Then they burst out into loud laughter. 

And no wonder. 

Toby was hanging there all right, red of face from his long-continuedexertion, and looking appealingly up to his chums. He had caught hold ofa friendly stout root as he found himself going over, and to this heclung, digging his toes from time to time into the face of the"precipice, " and in this way managing to sustain himself, though almostcompletely exhausted by the alarm and strain combined. 

"Ain't you g-g-goin' to h-h-help me?" he gasped, amazed no doubt to hearhis heartless chums laughing at his misfortune. 

"Let go, Toby!" cried Max. 

"Yes, drop down and take a rest!" added Steve, who could enjoy a joke tothe utmost when it was on Toby, with whom he often had words; though allthe same they were quite fond of each other. 

"W-w-want me to get s-s-smashed, d-d-don't you?" answered back theindignant boy, as he continued to clutch that root, as though he believedit to be the only thing between himself and destruction. 

"Look down, you loon!" cried Steve. "Call that a big drop? Why, I declarethe ground ain't more'n six inches down below your feet! Shucks; did Iever hear the like!"

Toby did twist his neck the best he could and look. Then with a glad cryhe released his hold on the friendly root to fall in a heap. 

"Let's get down to him, " said Trapper Jim, "he must be pretty well usedup, I reckon. Perhaps he's been hangin' thar half an hour'n more. "

"But whatever made him do such a silly thing?" asked Steve, as theyproceeded to go around the edge of the little "sink, " led by the trapper, who knew every foot of ground. 

"Well, I don't know that it was so queer after all, " declared Jim; "yousee, when he fell over here in the dark, how was Toby to know whether hewas hanging over a precipice ten feet deep or a hundred? All he could dowas to keep hold of that root and holler for help. "

"And he did that to beat the band, " declared Owen. 

"I guess it was all real to him, " the trapper went on to say; "andchances are, when he heard the trickling of this little brook that runsthrough the sink here, he thought it was a river away below him. Oh, Ican feel for Toby all right. I once had an experience myself somethinglike his. But here we are down. How're you feeling, son?"

"P-p-pretty r-r-rocky, " declared Toby, who was sitting up when theyreached him, and seemed to be trembling all over, as the result of thenervous strain to which he had been subjected. 

"Don't blame you a bit, " declared Max, who saw that the poor chap had intruth suffered considerably. "Lots of fellows would have thought the sameas you did, Toby. I might myself, if I'd slipped down that way in thedark. Here, grab hold with me, Steve, and we'll help Toby home. "

"Anyhow, " admitted Toby, as they put their arms about him, "I'm g-g-gladyou did c-c-come. R-r-reckon I'd f-f-fainted if I just had to letg-g-go. "

"Rats! I don't believe it, " scoffed the unbelieving Steve. 

Once they reached the trapper's cabin, and came under the cheerfulinfluence of that crackling fire, even Toby's spirits rose again. He hadby this time recovered some of his usual grit, and could afford to laughwith the rest at his recent experience. 

It was about as Trapper Jim suspected. 

Toby had been tempted to follow the lame rabbit for some little distanceinto the woods. Finally, finding that he had gone pretty far, and withnight closing in rapidly all around him, the boy had started to return. 

Becoming a little confused, he had stumbled one way and another, and inthe end fallen over the edge of the shallow sink. 

Throwing out his hands even as he felt himself falling, he had caughthold of the projecting root. Here he had hung, trying again and again toclimb up, but in vain; and quite sure that a terrible void lay beyond hisdangling legs. 

At first Toby had been too alarmed to even think of calling for help. Butas time went by, and he realized the desperate nature of his predicament, he tried to shout. 

This was never an easy task to the stuttering boy, and doubtless he madea sorry mess out of it. 

But all's well that ends well. Toby had been gallantly rescued, and nowthe five chums were doing their level best to assist Trapper Jim preparesupper. 

Would they ever forget the delights of that first meal under the roof ofthe forest cabin? Often had they partaken of a camp dinner, but neverbefore had it seemed to have the same flavor as this one did, surroundedas they were with those bunches of suggestive steel traps, the furs thattold of Jim's prowess in other days, and above all having the presenceof the grizzled trapper himself, a veritable storehouse of wonderfulinformation and thrilling experiences. 

And after the meal was finished they made themselves as comfortable aseach could arrange it, using all Jim's furs in the bargain. 

"Now, let's lay out the programme for to-morrow, " suggested Max. 

"Me to try for the first deer, " spoke up Steve, quickly. "Squirrel stew, like we had for supper to-night, is all very well, but it ain't in thesame class with fresh venison. Yum, yum, my mouth fairly waters for it, boys!"

"Some like venison and some say gray nut-fed squirrels, " remarked TrapperJim. "As for me, give me squirrel every time. "

"But we ought to try and get one deer anyway, hadn't we?" Steve pleaded. 

"Sure we will, " replied the owner of the cabin, heartily, "and I hope itfalls to your gun, Steve, seeing you dote on venison so. But it might beto-morrow I'd like to set a few of my traps, and reckoned that some ofyou boys'd want to watch me do the job. "

"That's right, " cried Owen and Max together, their eyes fairly sparklingwith delight at the anticipated treat. 

So they talked on, and Trapper Jim told lots of mighty interesting thingsas he smoked his old black pipe and sent curling wreaths of blue smoke upthe broad throat of the chimney. 

"Wonder if the moon ain't up long before now?" remarked Steve, finally. 

"Go and find out, " suggested Bandy-legs. 

Whereupon Steve arose, stretched his cramped legs, and, going over to thedoor, opened it. They saw him pass out, and as the trapper had started torelate another of his deeply interesting experiences the boys devotedtheir attention to him. But it was not three minutes later when Stevecame rushing into the cabin, his eyes filled with excitement, and hisvoice raised to almost a shout as he cried out:

"Wolves; a whole pack of 'em comin' tearin' mad this way!"

CHAPTER III. 

WHAT WOODCRAFT MEANT. 

"Wolves! Oh, my gracious! You don't say!" cried Bandy-legs, making a divefor the two sleeping bunks that Steve had built along one side of theinside wall of the cabin. 

Of course there was an immediate scurrying around. All the other boyswere on their feet instantly, even tired Toby with the rest. 

Max instinctively threw a glance toward the corner where his faithful gunstood. He did not jump to secure it, however, because something causedhim to first of all steal a quick look at Trapper Jim. When he discoveredthat worthy with a broad smile upon his face, Max decided that after allthe danger could hardly be as severe as indications pointed. 

Meanwhile Steve had managed to slam the door shut, and was holding it sowith his whole weight while he tried to adjust the bar properly in itstwin sockets. 

Steve was trembling all over with excitement. A thing like this was aptto stir him up tremendously. 

"Why don't some of you lend a hand here?" he kept calling out. "Plaguetake that clumsy old bar, won't it ever take hold? Get my gun for me, can't you, Bandy-legs? Listen to the varmints a-tryin' to break in, wouldyou. Wow! Ain't they mad I fooled them, though? Say, I wonder now ifthey'd think to get on the roof and come down the chimbly. Hand me mygun, Bandy-legs! Get a move on you!"

By this time Jim was doubled up with laughter. 

"Hold on you cannon-ball express boy, " he remarked, as he stepped overand began to take away the bar which Steve had managed to get in placewith so much trouble; "I guess we'll have to let these critters come in. They look on Uncle Jim's cabin as their home. "

"What, wolves!" gasped Steve. 

"Well, hardly, but my two dogs, Ajax and Don, " replied the trapper. "Yousee, I didn't want them along when I borrowed that buckboard and team tofetch you all here. So I left 'em with a neighbor three miles off, andtold him to set 'em loose to-night. So you thought they were wolves, didyou, Steve? Well, I guess they look somethin' that way, and the moonlightwas a little deceivin', too. "

With that he threw open the door. 

Immediately a couple of shaggy dogs bounded in and began barkingfuriously as they jumped up at their master, showing all the symptoms ofgreat joy. 

"Sho, one'd think they hadn't seen me for a whole month, instead of onlya few hours, " laughed Trapper Jim, as he fondled the dogs. 

Then the five boys in turn were introduced, as gravely as though Ajax andDon might be human beings. 

"They're quick to catch on, " remarked Trapper Jim. "They know now you'reall friends of mine, and you can depend on 'em to stand by you throughthick and thin. "

"What are they good for?" asked Bandy-legs. 

"This smaller one is reckoned the best 'coon dog in the woods, " repliedthe other, patting the head of Don. "If there's a striped-tail in thedistrict and I set him to working, he'll get him up a tree sooner orlater. And when the animal is knocked to the ground Don knows just how toget the right grip on his throat. "

"But his ears are all slit, and his head looks like it had been scratchedand gouged a whole lot, " remarked Steve. 

"Well, old 'coons, they've got pretty sharp claws sometimes, ain't they, Don?" continued the old trapper. "And in the excitement a dog can'talways just defend himself, eh, old fellow! They will get a dig in oncein a while, spite of us. "

Don barked three times, just as if he understood every single word hismaster was saying. 

"And how about Ajax?" Bandy-legs continued. 

"He's a general all-around dog, and ain't afraid of anything that walks. Why, boys, I've known him to tackle and kill the biggest lynx ever seenin these parts, and that's something few dogs could do. "

"What's a lynx?" asked Bandy-legs. 

"A species of wildcat that sometimes strays down this way across theCanada border, " replied the trapper. "Generally speaking, he's bigger'nthe other and fierce as all get out. Fact is, I believe I'd sooner have apanther tackle me than a full-grown, ugly tempered lynx. Some people callit the 'woods devil, ' and they hit it pretty near right, too. "

"Hasn't a lynx got some sort of mark about him that makes him lookdifferent from the ordinary bobcat?" asked Owen. 

"Why, yes, " replied Trapper Jim, "there's some difference in the beasts;but I reckon the little tassels that kinder adorn the ears of the lynxmark him most of all. "

"Looks like a full house, now, " remarked Max, who had not hesitated tomake up with both the dogs, being very fond of their kind. 

"Oh, while I have company Ajax and Don'll have to sleep in the shed orlean-to outside, " remarked the master of the dogs. "Of course, when I'mhere all by myself they stay indoors with me. And I tell you, lads, theymake a fellow feel less lonely in the long winter days and nights. Dogsare men's best friends--that is, the right kind of dogs. They becomegreatly attached to you, too. "

Toby just then seemed to become greatly excited. Finding it difficult toexpress himself as he wanted, he pointed straight at Steve, and was heardto say:

"A-a-attached to you! S-s-sure they do; S-s-steve knows! Saw one attachedto h-h-him once. Wouldn't h-h-hardly let go. "

At that there were loud shouts, and even Steve himself could hardly keepfrom grinning at the recollection of the picture Toby's words recalled. 

"'Spose you fellers never _will_ get over that affair, " he remarked, ashe put his hand behind him, just as if after all these months he stillfelt a pain where the dog had bitten him. "Cost me a good pair oftrousers, too, in the bargain. It was a bulldog, " he added, turningtoward Trapper Jim, "and he was so much attached to me that he followedme halfway 'over a seven-foot fence. Would have gone the whole thing onlythe cloth gave way and he lost his grip. "

"Well, that showed a warm, generous nature, " remarked Trapper Jim; "somedogs are marked that way. "

"This one was, " declared Steve. "But I got even with the critter. "

"How was that?" asked the other, looking a little serious; for, himself alover of dogs, he never liked to hear of one being abused. 

"I got me one of those little liquid pistols, you know, and laid for myold enemy, " Steve continued; "he saw me passing by and came bouncing outto try my other leg. But he changed his mind in a big hurry. And, say, you just ought to 'a' heard him yelp when he turned around and faced theother way. "

"You didn't blind the poor beast, I hope?" remarked Jim. 

"Oh, nothin' to speak of, " said Steve, gayly. "He was all right the nextday. Ammonia smarts like fun for awhile, but it goes off. But, listen, whenever I passed that house, if old Beauty was sitting on the steps likehe used to do, as soon as he glimpsed me, would you believe it, he'd turntail and run quick for the back yard and watch me around the comer of thehouse. "

"You had him tamed, all right, " said Max. 

"We called it an even break, and let it go at that, " said Steve. 

When the boys began to yawn, and betrayed unmistakable evidences of beingsleepy, their host showed them how he had arranged it so that they couldall sleep comfortably. 

There were only two wooden bunks, one above the other. Trapper Jim was tooccupy the lower one, and turn about, the five boys were to have theother. 

This necessitated four of them sleeping on the floor each night. But asthere were plenty of soft furs handy, and the boys announced that theyalways enjoyed being able to stretch out on the ground, Jim knew he wouldhave no trouble on this score. 

So the first night passed. 

Perhaps none of them slept as well as usual. This nearly always turns outto be the case with those who go into the wilderness for a spell. Thechange from home comforts and soft beds to the hardships that attendroughing it can be set down as the principal cause. 

However, nothing serious occurred during the night calculated to disturbthem. It is true Toby did fall out of the upper berth once, landing on acouple of the others with a thump, but then such a little matter washardly worth mentioning between friends. 

And they could understand how Toby must be dreaming of his recenttrouble, as he hung over that terrible abyss by his hold on a singleroot. 

Perhaps the root gave way in his dreams, and Toby made a frantic effortto save himself. 

Morning came at last. 

Breakfast was cooked and eaten with considerable eagerness, forimmediately it was over the boys expected to accompany their host whilehe made his first tour of the season, intending to set a few traps inplaces that had been marked as favorable to the carrying out of hisbusiness. 

They could hardly wait for Trapper Jim to get through his chores. 

Presently Jim went over several lots of hanging traps and selected thosehe wished to use on the first day. 

How he seemed to handle certain ones fondly, as though they carried withthem memories of stirring events in the dim past. 

They all looked pretty much alike to the boys, but Jim undoubtedly hadcertain little familiar marks by means of which he recognized eachindividual trap. He mentioned some of their peculiar histories as hepicked out his "lucky" traps. 

"This one held two mink at a pop twice now, something I never knew tohappen before, " he remarked. 

"And this old rusty one was lost a whole season. When I happened to findit, there was a piece of bone and some fur between the jaws, showing thatthe poor little critter had gnawed off its own foot rather than die ofstarvation. Made me fell bad, that did. A good trapper seldom allows sucha thing to happen. "

"Do mink really set themselves free that way?" asked Owen. 

"They will, if given half a chance, " was Jim's reply. "That's one reasonwe always try to fix it so that mink, otter, muskrats, fisher, and allanimals that are trapped along the edge of streams manage to drownthemselves soon after they are caught. It saves the pelt from beinginjured, too, by their crazy efforts to break away. "

"And what of that trap over there? You seem to be taking mighty good careof it, " said Max, who was deeply interested in everything the trapper wasdoing. 

"Well, I hadn't ought to complain about that trap, " came the answer. "Year before last it caught me a silver fox, as the black fox is called. And perhaps you know that a prime black fox pelt is worth as high asseveral thousand dollars. "

"Hear that, will you!" exclaimed Steve. 

"H-h-how much d-d-did you g-g-get for it?" asked Toby. 

"Well, " Jim went on to say, "it wasn't a Number One, but they allowed Iought to get eight-fifty for it; which check was enclosed in the letterI'll show you some day. I keep it to prove the truth of my story. "

"A bully good day's work, eh?" remarked Steve. 

"Best that ever came my way, " admitted the other. 

"Gee, wonder now if we'd be lucky enough to set eyes on a silver foxworth a cool thousand or more?" ventured Bandy-legs. 

"It is barely possible you may, boys, " remarked the trapper; "because Isaw a beauty two or three times during the summer. And I'm kind of hopingthere may be some sort of magic about this same trap to coax him to puthis foot in it. "

"A single fox skin fetching thousands of dollars!" remarked Steve, as ifhardly able to grasp it as the truth. "Whew, that beats finding pearls inthe shells of mussels all hollow!"

"Yes, " Owen broke in, "and even Ted Shafter and his crowd hunting wildginseng roots and selling it to the wholesale drug house at big moneydoesn't cut so much of a figure after all, does it?"

"One thing I want to ask you, boys, right in the start, " the trapper tookoccasion to say; "while you're up with me you must promise never to shootat a fox, a mink, a marten, an otter, or in fact any small fur-bearinganimal. "

"We give you our word, all right, Uncle Jim, " said Steve, readily. 

"Of course, " continued the old trapper, "my one reason for asking this isto keep you from ruining good pelts. It would be pretty tough now ifafter I caught that black fox I found that his skin had been so badlytorn by birdshot that it wasn't worth handling. "

"That's right, it would, " admitted Owen. 

"You can depend on us to hold back, " Max added, sincerely. 

"Well, this is about all the traps I care to put out to-day, " and as hespoke Jim made them up in two bundles, one of which he gave to Toby andthe other to Bandy-legs. 

He saw that, ordinarily, these two were the least important members ofthe club. And in the kindness of his heart he wished to make them feelthat he needed their especial help. 

So Toby and the other chum slung the traps over their shoulders withill-concealed pleasure in that they had been singled out for suchattention by the old trapper. 

"Then you don't mean to set Old Tom to-day, " asked Owen, pointing to abig trap, whose weight and grim-looking jaws announced that it wasintended for large game. 

Old Jim smiled and shook his head, as he replied:

"Hardly any use, unless we run across bear tracks. Such a thing mighthappen, you know; because it did snow last night, and there's a good inchon the ground right now. "

"But, hold on, " said Owen, "I understood that bears always went to sleepin the fall and stayed in some cave or a hollow tree till spring came. "

"They do, " answered the trapper, "but generally hang around till thefirst real hard blizzard comes along. This little snow don't count, andevery day a bear is able to be around hunting roots and such things, why, the less he has to live on his own fat, you know, But we're all readynow, so come along, boys. "

The dogs were left at the cabin, which Jim did not even shut up. He knewAjax and Don would stay close at home; for the sight of the strings oftraps told the intelligent dogs they could not be allowed to accompanytheir master on this expedition. 

An hour later, and Jim was showing the eager and curious boys whoremained at a little distance, so that their scent might not cause thecautious mink to abandon his usual trail, just how he set a trap in orderto catch the cunning little animal, and make him drown himself with theweight of the trap. 

The snare was set at the mouth of a hole in the bank of a creek, andwhich, Jim informed them, was one of many visited by the male mink eachnight as they wandered up and down the stream. 

He used some animal "scent" contained in a small bottle to help attracthis prey. Then, after destroying all evidences of his having been thereas much as he possibly could, Trapper Jim rejoined the boys. 

"Now we'll head for the marsh where I put several traps day beforeyesterday and mean to add a few more to-day, " he remarked. "As we go, I'll try to explain just why a man has to be so very careful whenever hematches his wits against those of a wily and timid little beast. "

They hung upon every word Jim uttered, for these secrets of the woodswere things all of them had long wanted to know. What could musty oldschool books teach them that could equal the knowledge they imbibedstraight out of the fountain of experience. 

It was while Jim was holding forth in his most effective manner, so as tothrill every one of his boy friends, that they saw him come to a suddenstop. 

His eyes were fastened upon the white ground just in front of them, andas he pointed with his gun he electrified the boys by saying:

"Mebbe after all we might have use of Old Tom to-morrow, for there's thetracks of a big bear. "

CHAPTER IV. 

THE SECRETS OF TRAPPING. 

"Bully!" cried Steve, looking almost as happy as he did on thatnever-to-be-forgotten day when they found their first lovely pearl in amussel taken from the Big Sunflower River. 

"A b-b-bear!" exclaimed Toby. "L-l-let me s-s-see. "

All of them were soon eagerly examining the marks so plainly described inthe light snow. Bruin had evidently shuffled along here, heading for somefavorite place in the neighboring marsh, where he knew food was still tobe found. 

"We'd better leave the old chap alone for a bit, " announced Jim. "When Ican make sure by his coming back to his den the same way that he's got aregular trail, we'll lay for him. "

"I'd like to get in a shot with my gun, " declared Steve. 

"H-h-ho! Much g-g-good your N-n-number Seven shot'd d-d-do against hist-t-tough old hide!" jeered Toby. 

"Get out! You don't think I'm such a ninny as that, I hope, " answeredSteve, indignantly. "Hey, take a look at that shell, and this one, too, will you? Know why that black cross is on them? Course you don't. Well, I'll tell you. "

"H-h-hurry up then and t-t-tell me. "

"They're buckshot shells, " declared Steve. "Each one's got just twelvebuckshot inside, all as big as pistol bullets. And at short range they'recalculated to bring down a deer like fun. I'd be willing to take mychances against a black bear, given a good opening to hit him back of hisforeleg. Now you know a heap more'n you did before, Toby Jucklin. "

"S-s-sure, " answered the other, nodding his head good-naturedly. 

"But remember, " said Jim at this juncture, "a good bearskin is worth allthe way from five to twenty dollars to me. But after you've made a sieveout of it with twelve or twenty-four buckshot from that scatter gun, why, I hardly think I could give it away. "

"So Steve, please restrain your bear-killing feeling just now, " said Max. "Whether we get him in a trap or shoot him on the run the bear steakswill taste just as good; won't they, Uncle Jim?"

"I reckon you're right, " replied the trapper, without any greatanimation; for doubtless he had found bear meat pretty tough eating, andgiven his choice would any day have much preferred the porterhouse steakwhich Steve had so often at home that he turned up his nose at it. 

When they arrived at the marsh where the countless muskrats had theirhomes, a new species of interest was aroused. 

Jim showed them how he had to employ entirely new tactics when dealingwith the muskrats than in connection with the mink. The former werebanded together in colonies, and the trapper had to be constantly on thealert lest in capturing one prize he frighten the whole family away. 

"But I learned my business many years ago, " the old trapper declared, with considerable pride, "when beaver lived in the North Woods. Therenever were more wary little animals than those same beaver, and the manwho could circumvent 'em had a right to call himself smart. "

After setting three traps he led the way to a place where he had left onebaited on the occasion of his previous visit to the marsh. 

"You see, here's where I set it on the bank, " he remarked, "and the chainran down there to a stake in deep water. "

"But it ain't here now, Uncle Jim, " said Steve. 

"Because a curious and hungry musquash, anxious to reach the bait I stuckon a splinter of wood just above the trap, set it off. "

"And then sprang back into the water, because that was his natural way ofdoing when alarmed, and soon drowned there. Was that the way it worked, Uncle Jim?" asked Max. 

The old trapper looked fondly at him and answered:

"Exactly as you say, son. Men who trap these cunning small fur-bearinganimals never get tired of studying their habits; and the one who entersmost fully into the life and instincts of mink, 'coon, marten, otter, fisher, or even the humble muskrat, is the fellow who succeeds best inhis business. "

"B-b-but all the m-m-muskrats I ever saw could swim and s-s-stay underw-w-water's long as they p-p-pleased, " Toby broke out with. 

"That's a mistake, " said Trapper Jim. "None of these animals can liveunder water all the time like a fish. They have to come up to breathejust so often. Beaver have houses made of mud and sticks. The entrancesto these are always down below: but you find the tops of all beaverhouses above the surface. "

"But, " said Steve, "I've seen muskrats dive just as Toby says, and waitedwith a club to have 'em come to the top of the water again; but lots oftimes I'd have to chuck it up as no good. How did that happen, UncleJim?"

"That is easily explained, " answered the trapper. "Just as alligators do, so mink, otter, and muskrats have holes that run up into the bank of astream, their nest being always above ordinary high water. When youmissed seeing your rat it was because he happened to be near enough todive down, enter his tunnel, and make his way up to his nest. You see, there are lots of queer things to be learned, if you only keep your eyesand ears open when in these woods. "

"But show us if you really did get one in your trap, " urged Bandy-legs, who knew much less about all these things than any one of the chums, yetfelt considerable eagerness to learn. 

So with a stick that had a fork at the end Jim felt around in the waterat a point he supposed he would find something. 

And, sure enough, he presently caught the chain and speedily pulled outthe trap. It was not empty. A plump-looking muskrat was caught by bothforelegs. 

"You got him, all right, sure, " commented Steve. 

Trapper Jim was taking the victim out, and carefully resetting the trapin the same place it had been before; after which he renewed the bait. 

"Like as not I'll have another to-morrow, and for days to come, " heremarked; "unless they get suspicious on account of the scent we leave bytouching things. I try to kill that all I can. But when animals areunusually timid, it's often necessary to come in a boat, and do it allwithout setting a foot on shore, because, you know, water leaves neithertrail nor scent. "

"Yes, the sharpest-nosed hound in the world is knocked out, I've read, when the game takes to the water. "

It was Owen who made this remark, and the trapper nodded his head inapproval as he added:

"I see you are a great reader, my boy. That's a mighty fine thing. There's only one that's better--proving the truth of things by actualexperience. And while you're up here in the grand old North Woods with meI hope you'll pick up a lot of useful information that you never wouldfind in any school books. Now we're ready to visit the second trap thatwas set a little farther along. "

To the satisfaction of the trapper this furnished a victim equal in sizeto the first one. 

"I didn't know muskrats counted for much, Uncle Jim, " remarked Steve, whosaw the sparkle in the old man's eyes as he handled the second prize. 

"Oh well, the skins didn't pay for the trouble years ago, " he said inreply, "but of late years good furs are getting so scarce that they areusing heaps of muskrat pelts, generally dyed and sold under another name. It is a good serviceable fur, and if taken up North answers the purposevery well. "

"Why do you say 'up North'?" asked Owen. 

"Max there can tell you, I'm sure, " laughed the trapper. 

"Oh, well, " remarked the one mentioned, "I do happen to know that thefarther north you go the better the fur. And, of course, that means ahigher price in the market, since all pelts are graded according to sizeand quality. "

"That means, I suppose, " said Owen, "that a muskrat skin taken away up inNorthern Michigan or Canada is more valuable than the same sized peltthat was captured down, say, in Florida. "

"Often worth twice or three times as much, " remarked the trapper. "Standsto reason, too, since the little critters don't have much need of thickhides where the weather is generally warm. "

"I can see through that all right, " Steve admitted, "but ain't they queerlookin' little rascals, though! Some plump, too!"

"Fat as butter this season, " observed Jim. "And I'm just longing to seehow they taste. Last year they didn't just seem to suit my particularbrand of appetite. "

"What's that?" almost shouted Steve, "say, Uncle Jim, you're just tryingto give me taffy now, sure you are. "

"That's where you're mistaken Steve, " said the trapper, smiling at thehorrified expression on the boy's face. 

"But--you don't mean to say you _eat_ muskrats?" demanded Steve. 

"Do I? Well, you wait and see how I'll tackle these this very evening. And if we're lucky enough to find a third one in my other set trap, why, you boys can have a look in, too. "

"Me eat rats?" cried Steve, scornfully. "Mebbe I might if I had to do itor starve to death; but not when I've got other stuff to line my stomachwith, I'm no Chinaman, Uncle Jim. "

"Well, you'll change your tune before long, " remarked the other, "andit's a mistake to class these clean little animals with common rats. TheIndian name for him is musquash, and thousands of people appreciate thefact that his meat is as sweet as that of a squirrel. "

"And I've been told, " said Max, "much more tender. "

"That's a fact, " declared Jim, "I've got so I never try to fry a squirrelnowadays unless he's been parboiled first. They're the toughest littlecritters that run around on four legs. "

When they arrived at the third trap it was found to contain another"victim of misplaced confidence, " as Old Jim called it. 

"Plenty to go around now, boys, " remarked the trapper. 

"You'll have to excuse me, " said Steve, shuddering. 

And yet before three days went by Steve had been induced to taste themusquash, as Trapper Jim prepared them, and found the dish so good thatafterwards his tin pannikin was shoved forward for a second helping asoften as any of the others. 

On the way home, after all the traps they had brought had been set, Bandy-legs noticed a tree that stood up black and grim, as though a firehad destroyed it at some time. 

"Yes, " said Jim, when his attention was directed that way, "quite a fewyears ago we had a big fire up this way that did heaps of damage. AndI've noticed that the conditions this fall are just about the same asthat year. Why, we've hardly had any rain at all in the last two months. "

"The woods must be pretty dry then, I should think, " Max remarked. 

"Dry as tinder, " replied the other. "This little snow will all disappear, and unless we get a heavy fall soon, it wouldn't surprise me if somecareless campers or deer hunters let their camp fire get into the brushwhen the wind is blowing great guns. Then there'll be the mischief topay. But I hope it won't be any one of you boys. "

Each and every one of them solemnly declared that he was firmly resolvedto be unusually careful. 

Finally they reached the cabin. 

In the afternoon Old Jim skinned the three musquash, and showed the boyshow he fastened the hides on stretching boards, which would cause themto retain their shape while they dried. 

"We never put skins in the sun or near a fire to dry, " he observed, seeing that most of the boys were anxious to learn all they could. "Thebest way is to stand 'em in the shade where the breeze can play on 'em. But, of course, you mustn't let the pelts get wet while they're drying. "

Sure enough, Jim cut up the musquash, and gave evidences of satisfactionat finding them so plump. 

As the afternoon began to wane Bandy-legs surprised his chums by actuallyvolunteering to go out and gather wood for the fire. 

This was really such an unusual occurrence that Max surveyed the othercuriously as he passed out. 

He wondered if Bandy-legs, generally quite lazy, had seen the error ofhis ways and meant to reform. 

It appeared that Max was not the only one who thought this action odd, for Owen spoke of it. 

"What d'ye suppose struck that boy?" he remarked. 

"Never knew him to volunteer to do a thing before, " declared Max. 

"I should say not, " Steve broke in. "Generally speaking, we have to use astuffed club on Bandy-legs to get him to do anything but eat. "

Toby chuckled. 

"Gr-g-great s-s-stunt, " he ejaculated, "g-g-got him anxious to t-t-trystewed m-m-m-m--" But that name was really too much for Toby, who had tobe satisfied by pointing at the kettle in which Trapper Jim had placedthe dismembered musquash. 

At this the others laughed. 

They were lounging around in the cabin at the time. A small blaze burnedin the big fireplace at the bottom of the wide-throated chimney. 

"What I want to know, " remarked Owen, who had been examining one of theskins stretched on the thin board, "is why they fix these differentways. I've read that some skins are cured with the fur out and otherswith it in; some split and others dried whole. "

"Glad you mentioned that, " said Jim, looking pleased. "Skins are of allkinds. Some we dry cased, without cutting. I'm going to show you thewhole business by degrees, if we're lucky enough--"

He stopped short in what he was saying, and seemed to cock his head onone side, as though listening. 

"Say, I guess there must be some kind of bird or animal in your oldchimney, Uncle Jim, " remarked Steve. 

"I thought I heard it, too, " Owen declared. 

All listened. 

"There it goes again, " said Steve; "and something dropped down rightthen. I was thinking of that story you told us where a bear came downthrough the big chimney of a cabin. Wow! Listen to that, would you?"

As Steve cried out in this way, the rattling in the chimney suddenly grewinto an alarming noise. Then a large object fell with a crash into thefire. 

CHAPTER V. 

WHAT CAME DOWN THE CHIMNEY. 

"It's a bear!" whooped Steve, as he made a headlong dash for the cornerwhere his double barrel stood. 

Forgotten just then was the injunction of the old trapper that theyshould not shoot any thing that wore fur, as it would cheat him out ofall his expected profits. 

If a bear became so bold as to enter the cabin by way of the chimney hemust surely be treated, with scant ceremony. Buckshot or birdshot, itmattered little which the gun contained, since at close quarters the loadwould carry like a large bullet. 

But Steve had not even managed to lay a hand on his gun, when he wasamazed to hear above the barking of the two dogs, loud shrieks oflaughter from Max, Owen, and Toby. 

Even the hoarser notes of the trapper seemed to join in. And when therechanced to be a little break in all this racket, Steve caught a wailingvoice crying aloud:

"Put me out! Somebody throw a bucket of water over me, and put me out!I'm all a-fire! Why can't you help a feller?"

A figure was dancing around like mad, now slapping at his trousers leg, and then trying to reach the middle of his back, where his coat seemed tobe smoldering. 

It was Bandy-legs. 

Steve instantly recognized his chum, and this fact, taken with the noisein the chimney, gave the thing away. 

Bandy-legs had tried to play a prank on them, and, as usual, made a sorrymess of it. 

While sitting there and looking at the wide-throated chimney, perhaps hismind went out to what Jim had told about the curious bear which, huntingaround on the roof of a cabin to ascertain where that fine odor of hamscame from, fell down the chimney. 

He would climb upon the roof and lower a make-believe wildcat, fashionedout of an old moth-eaten skin Jim had thrown away. 

That accounted for Bandy-legs' astonishing announcement that he would goout and gather some of the wood for the night. 

It also explained to Max just why he had been stout string that lay uponthe trapper's table. This would be needed in the carrying out of histrick. 

But, like the incautious bear, Bandy-legs had also leaned too far overthe top of the chimney. Perhaps he wanted, not to sniff the smoked hamsbelow, as in the case of Bruin, but to hear the shouts of consternationwhen his make-believe bobcat landed in the fireplace, apparently jumpingup and down as Bandy-legs jerked the string. 

The consequence had been that he fell into the opening, and, landing onall fours, scattered the little fire in every direction. 

But seeing that the boy's clothes were really on fire in several places, Max grabbed up the first thing he could think of that might be dependedon to extinguish the smoldering cloth. 

"Hold on, that's my supper!" shouted Trapper Jim, clutching the hand ofMax before he could empty the kettle. "Here's the water-bucket; usethat. "

And Max did so, drenching poor dancing Bandy-legs from head to foot withthe contents of the pail. 

"That's the time Bandy-legs came near getting more than his share of thegrub, " declared Owen, who was busily engaged stamping out some ofthe smoldering brands that had been scattered around so promiscuouslywhen the sprawling figure of the boy landed in their midst. 

"Somebody carry that old skin outside, " said Trapper Jim. "It's burningmore or less, and we'll have the cabin so full of smell we won't be ableto stay in it much longer. "

Toby volunteered to do this, although he had to handle the thingcarefully so as not to get burned. 

"I'll go after another bucket of water, " remarked Max; "and I'd adviseour practical joker here to jump out of those wet duds and get into somedry ones in a hurry. "

Bandy-legs, looking disgusted and rather silly, was beginning to shiver, as the door, which now stood open to ventilate the cabin, allowed thechilly air of approaching evening to enter. 

"Guess I will, " he remarked; "'cause I've got that wood to gather. "

"You bet you have, " declared Steve; "we don't let you off from that job. And when you've got your hand in, we'll expect you to take care of thefuel business right along, see?"

"See you in Guinea first, " muttered Bandy-legs, bristling up. 

They could never coax him to tell what he had really intended doing atthe time his treacherous heels slipped on the roof, and he fell down thebig opening through which the smoke escaped. 

Still, no one needed explanations. The fact of his lowering the oldabandoned pelt, bundled up so as to look as much like a live bobcat aspossible, spoke for itself. 

Somehow or other this trip seemed to be particularly hard on practicaljokers. Owen gravely remarked that all who were ordinarily given toplaying pranks would take notice. 

"Needn't look at me that way when you say that, " remarked Steve. "I usedto be a great hand for jokes, but never again. I've reformed, I have. "

"Y-y-yes, like f-f-fun you have, " scoffed Toby, who knew Steve "like abook, " and had no faith in his professed change of heart. 

After a while things looked comfortable again. 

The fire burned cheerily on the hearth and Jim's kettle, hanging from aniron bar that could be let down, steamed and bubbled, and began sendingout appetizing odors that even Steve sniffed with less resentment than hehad anticipated. 

"What d'ye think of it now, Steve?" asked Uncle Jim. 

"Huh, if you mean the smell, why, it ain't so very bad, " replied the boy. "Fact is, makes me think of rabbit stew, some. "

"Beats any rabbit you ever ate; just wait, " prophesied the trapper, whoknew that once Steve overcame his prejudice he would admit as muchhimself. 

Bandy-legs had finished dressing, and as he lacked certain garments tocomplete his attire, the other boys temporarily helped him out. When hisown were dry he would return the borrowed articles. 

As though desirous of doing penance because of his wretched failure as aprank player, Bandy-legs did work, bringing wood to the outside of thecabin with unwonted zeal. 

Indeed, the trapper finally had to stop him. 

"Looks like you meant to swamp us with firewood, son, " he remarked, surveying the pile that was heaped up against the side of the cabin. 

"Huh, thought I'd get enough while I was about it, " Bandy-legs replied. 

"Well, you've done yourself proud, my boy, and I reckon I'd stop now. We've got all we can use till to-morrow night. And I don't like too big astack against the cabin wall. A spark from the chimney might set hergoing, and I'd hate to be burned out. "

The supper was a success. 

Of course they had plenty of other things to eat besides Steve's petdish. The boys made sure of this, not fancying the idea of having todepend upon the musquash alone. 

All of them but Steve tasted it and declared it fine. He could not becoaxed to even sample it at the time; but Old Jim believed Steve wouldcome around in time. 

"It's just because these plump little critters are so common, " heremarked, with a smile of satisfaction, as he emptied the balance of thestew into his own pannikin. "If they cost four dollars each, now, andonly the millionaires could buy 'em, you'd think they beat anythinggoing. "

"Yes, " said bookworm Owen, "that's the way it was with diamond-backterrapin. Time was in Virginia and North Carolina, yes, in Maryland, too, when a man hired out to a planter along the coast, he had it entered inthe contract that he was not to be fed on terrapin. They were looked onat that time as common stuff. To-day the rich pay five dollars apiece fordecent-sized little fellows. You're right, Uncle Jim, it makes a lot ofdifference. "

Talking in this strain, and picking up useful as well as interestinginformation from time to time, as Trapper Jim explained things to theboys who were his guests, the evening passed pleasantly away. 

Even Bandy-legs seemed to forget his recent troubles part of the time. 

Max, seeing him rub various portions of his body tenderly, asked whetherhe had really been burned. And when the baffled joker was induced to showseveral red marks, Max insisted on applying a soothing lotion, which tookout much of the pain. 

It was an evening long to be remembered by the boys. Steve's turn tooccupy the extra bunk had come around, and he felt in high feather inconsequence, while the other boys had to select their places on thefloor. 

But everyone seemed in the best of humor, and the soft furs promised tomake just as good beds as they could wish. 

When Max stepped out just before retiring to see how the weather promisedfor the morrow, he found a clear sky, the moon just peeping into view, and a wholesome tang in the air. 

And as Max stood listening to the far-away mournful call of an owl to itsmate, and noted the flood of soft moonlight, it was no wonder he said tohimself:

"I tell you it's good to be here!"

CHAPTER VI

STEVE STARTS GAME. 

"Wish you fellows luck!" said Owen. 

It was the next morning. Breakfast had been dispatched, and there wasstill a distinct odor of bacon and coffee in the air. 

All of them were getting ready for the duties laid out for the day; andthis remark of Owen's had been intended for Max and Steve. 

Eager to indulge in a hunt, with the dim prospect of bringing home a finedeer, Steve had begged Trapper Jim to let him go. This was on the eveningbefore, while they sat by the blazing fire in the cabin. 

Now Old Jim had, of course, sized up impulsive Steve pretty well beforenow. He liked the boy very much, for he knew Steve was warm-hearted and atrue comrade. But he hardly fancied having so impatient a lad go off byhimself. 

Accordingly, he had told Steve that if he could get Max to keep himcompany on a little hunt, he would post them with regard to where theywere most likely to run across game. 

And Max had only too gladly agreed. 

He had a new magazine 30-30 repeating rifle. It was a small bore, but byusing the soft-nosed bullets that mushroom out upon striking even theflesh of an animal, it would prove just as powerful as a heaviergun. 

And Max was secretly just wild to try it on a deer, though he did notshow his feelings the same way Steve would have done. 

Both boys were ready to start out when the others left to make a round ofthe traps. They had received final instructions from Trapper Jim. 

"Got your compass, Max?" asked his cousin. 

"It's O. K. , " replied the other, touching his pocket, suggestively. 

"D-d-don't forget your g-g-grub, " said Toby. 

"Both of us got the snack of lunch stowed away, " Steve made answer, as hepointed to the bulging side of his khaki hunting coat that had a gamepocket running all the way around inside, "big enough almost to stow adeer in, " Steve had laughingly declared. 

"But I hardly think Max would ever need a compass, " Bandy-legs observed. "You know he never yet was lost in the woods. "

"Glad to hear that, son, " remarked Trapper Jim. 

"Sure thing, " Bandy-legs went on to say, "Max, he can tell the points ofthe compass by the bark or the green moss on the trees, by the way thetrees lean, and lots of other ways; can't you, Max!"

But the other only smiled, as though he thought there was no need of hiswasting breath when, as Steve declared, he could have a loyal chum "blowhis horn" for him. 

"All ready here, Max, " announced Steve, anxious to start. 

So, with a few parting words the two hunters left the vicinity of thecabin in the forest. The others were just about ready to start out tolearn what the various traps contained. 

"Don't forget about that bear, Uncle Jim!" shouted Steve. 

"I sure won't, " answered the old man, waving his hand. 

"If he's been back over that trail you'll lug out Old Tom and give him achance to earn his keep, won't you!" pursued Steve. 

"That's right, I will. "

Satisfied with the answer, Steve followed after Max. 

Now, although Steve had shot quail and ducks, rabbits and squirrels, hewas not a big-game hunter. As yet he had to secure his first deer. And asthe sporting instinct was coming on very markedly in the boy, he wasanxious to be able to say he had shot a "lordly" buck. 

It was always that, with Steve, whenever he boasted of the great thingshe intended doing on a projected hunt. No ordinary doe seemed ever toenter into his calculations at all. 

"And a five-pronged buck, too, " he declared. "I wouldn't waste myprecious time with anything less. "

Knowing that Max had had more or less experience in the line of hunting, Steve was secretly pleased to take lessons. There might be times whenSteve was inclined to boast that he knew it all; but when out with Max hefelt that this style of bluff would not go. 

They headed in the direction the trapper had laid out for them. Since theold man had spent many years around this region it stood to reason thathe ought to know a good deal concerning the places where game was mostlikely to be found. 

"Think we'll get one, Max?" asked Steve, after they had been walking fornearly a full hour through the forest. 

"It's a toss-up, " replied the other; "hunting always is, because younever know whether the game is there or not. And even if you are luckyenough to start something, perhaps you'll fail to bring it down. "

Steve laughed incredulously. 

"Trust me to do that same, " he avowed, "if only I can get my peepers on afive-pronged buck. Think of what I've got in the barrels of my gun, Max, twelve separate bullets in each shell, and propelled by nearly four dramsof powder. Wow! I'd sure hate to be the luckless deer that stood upbefore all that ammunition. "

"Especially when the keen eye and sure hand of Steve Dowdy is back of itall, " chuckled Max. 

"Oh, well, I don't want to boast, you know, Max, 'cause I might happen tomake a foozle out of it. I was only speaking of the hard-hittingqualities of this little double-barreled Marlin of mine, that's all. "

"Well, we must wait and see, " said Max. "Perhaps you'll make good rightin the start; and then, again, something might throw you down. The proofof the pudding's in the eating of it, they say. "

"Oh, I do hope we get a deer, even if it doesn't fall to my gun, " Stevecontinued to say. "It'd be too bad now if we spent a whole two weeks uphere with Trapper Jim and never tasted any game besides measly squirrel, rabbit, or maybe partridge, if they're still to be had. "

"You forget musquash, " added Max. 

"Bah! I _wanted_ to forget it, " declared the other. 

"Suppose we knock off talking for a while, Steve, " suggested Max. "We'recoming to one of the places he said we might find deer. And they've gotpretty sharp ears, let me tell you right now. "

"But you said we were always hunting up against the wind, so our scentwouldn't be carried to the game, " Steve observed. 

"That's true enough, Steve, but even then good deer hunters seldom talkabove whispers when they expect to run across game. This is one of thetimes when we can apply that old maxim we used to write in our copy booksat school. "

"Sure, I remember it well, " chuckled Steve, "'speech may be silver, butsilence is gold. ' I'm dumb, Max. "

And for a wonder, not another word did Steve utter for over half an hour. As he was usually such a talkative fellow, this keeping still must havebeen in the line of great punishment to Steve. 

But, then, there are times when the sporting instinct sways all else. AndSteve understood that still hunting deer meant a padlock on the lips. 

After all, disappointment awaited them. 

They put in a solid hour looking over all the territory first mentionedby Trapper Jim, but without starting a single deer. 

"They've been around, " Max finally observed, "and not long ago either, because you can see the tracks as fresh as anything; but it must havebeen yesterday, because they're not here now. "

"Looky!" exclaimed Steve, "here's where a five-pronged buck must 'a'rubbed himself against this tree, because there's a big bunch of red hairsticking to the rough bark. Glory! Wouldn't I like to have been aboutover there by the log when he was doing it. Oh, such a shot!"

"You could hardly have missed him from there, " laughed Max. 

"What next?" asked the disappointed one. 

"The sun's getting up pretty near the top of its range. That means it'snear noon time, " remarked Max. 

"And time for grub, eh?" cried Steve. "Well, I won't be sorry, believeme, for several reasons. First place, I'm hungry as all get-out. Then, again, I'm tired of toting all this stuff around. Say when, Max. "

"Oh, we'll keep on for half an hour more till we come to a stream wherewe can get a drink. Then in the afternoon we'll circle around some, so asto reach the other promising section Jim told us about. Come on, Steve. "

Nothing rewarded their search; and chancing upon a gurgling creek aboutthe end of the half hour, the two boys found a log to sit down upon. 

After eating they rested for quite a spell. 

Finally Steve could stand it no longer, but urged his companion to "get amove on him. " So once again the two hunters walked on. 

Steve was beginning to complain of being nearly done up, when Max askedhim not to talk again only in a whisper, as they were now close upon theother feeding ground of the coveted deer. 

And this caused Steve to brighten up immediately. In his eagerness tofind game his pains were forgotten. 

Max arranged that they separate and advance along parallel lines, so asto cover more territory. 

He had been going on himself some little time when suddenly he heardSteve's gun roar. A second shot followed fast on the heels of the first, and Max, excited, ran in the direction of the sounds. A few minutes laterhe heard the lusty voice of Steve calling out:

"Take care, Max, he knows you're coming! Run for it! He's starting foryou! Get a tree, Max, get a tree! He's a holy terror!"

CHAPTER VII. 

THE UNWELCOME GUEST. 

Max saw what had happened in that one glance he took. 

Steve had met his deer at last; and sure enough it was a sturdy buck thathad five prongs to his antlers, showing his years. 

Whatever upset Steve could only be guessed; but although he had certainlysent in two shots he had failed to bag the game. 

Perhaps he wounded the deer with the first shot and the animal hadfallen. Flushed with triumph, Steve had given a yell and started tohasten toward his quarry with the intention of bleeding it, as heunderstood should be done. 

Then, when the buck scrambled to his feet, and charged straight at theyoung hunter, Steve had been so rattled that he missed entirely with hissecond shot. 

After that it was run or take to a tree for Steve. 

And sheltered behind an oak, around which he had been chased again andagain by the angry buck, Steve had seen his chum appear in sight. 

It was then he shouted his warning. 

Max had no intention of picking out a tree for himself, as Stevesuggested; at least not so early in the game. Time enough for that whenhe found he had made as bad a bungle of the affair as his chum seemed tohave done. 

Here was the fine chance to try his new rifle that he had been hopingwould come along. 

"Look out!"

Max hardly heard this last warning, cry from the boy who looked outbehind the friendly oak. He had dropped on his right knee and raised hisgun. 

The buck was coming on pretty fast, considering the fact that he seemedto limp and be losing blood from the wound Steve had given him. 

Max knew he had a difficult task to place his bullet where it wascalculated to do the most good. There was little of the deer's breastexposed as with lowered head he charged toward this new enemy. But Maxhad all the necessary requisites that go to make up the good hunter--aquick eye, a sure hand, and excellent judgment in a pinch. 

He took a quick aim, and meant to fire while the buck was still a littleway off. This was to give him a chance to pump a new cartridge into thefiring chamber of his gun in case the first shot failed to do the work. 

After that--well, of course, there still remained the tree Steverecommended, and Steve ought to know a good thing when he saw it, sincehe had been saved from those really dangerous-looking antlers by asheltering tree. 

But, then, Max did not mean to register a miss. 

He pressed the trigger at just the right time as the buck was rising inthe air. And when he saw the deer crash to the ground, although he felt athrill of satisfaction, cautious Max was not like Steve, rushing headlongforward to bleed his game. 

On the contrary, his first act was to go through the rapid action thatplaced his rifle in serviceable condition again. 

"Take care, Max, " yelled Steve, seeing the buck struggling, "that's howhe fooled me, the sharp dodger! He's the tricky one, all right, you bet!Watch him climb up again, now! Take that big tree right alongside you, Max!"

But instead of doing this Max advanced toward the spot where the buck hadfallen. He was ready to send in another shot should it be needed. Butthere was no necessity. 

The buck gave one last violent kick and then lay still. 

"All over, Steve; you can come along, " said Max, beckoning toward theother. 

Steve stopped to pick up his gun, examined it with apparent solicitude, as if to make sure it had not been injured, and then carefully replacedthe discharged shells with fresh ones. 

"You never can tell what them there old five-pronged bucks _will_ do, " hesaid, as he came up to where Max stood, surveying their prize; "and it'sbest to be on the safe side; so that's why I waited to load my gun. "

"And I reckon, Steve, " said Max, with a smile, "that if you'd waitedbefore to see if your buck got up again, you'd have downed him for keepswith that second barrel, and then you wouldn't have had to hunt up thesafe side of a tree. "

"Guess that's all to the good, Max, " replied the other, humbly. 

"Pretty fine-looking buck, ain't he, Steve?"

"Well, I should say yes, " was the answer. "And just to think he's thevery five-pronged old boy I've been talking about this long while. "

"My, but he acted as though he was mad at you!" Max went on, anxious tohear some of the particulars of what had happened. 

"That's straight goods, Max, and he had reason to be mad at me. I plunkedhim with that first shot and he went down. I thought I had him andstarted to run in, when, shucks, he got up again!"

"Then you fired again, but so rapidly that you missed; was that it, Steve?"

"Oh, I admit I was some rattled, " replied the other. 

"And then after you missed him, Steve?"

"Huh, after that things commenced to happen. They came so fast they kindof got me twisted, " and Steve made a comical face with this statementthat almost set the other off into a roar of laughter. 

But he knew that if he gave way it might offend Steve and cause him tobottle up his explanation; so Max held in. 

"And then?" he went on. 

"Oh, " said Steve, "I saw a tree and headed for it kerslam. But the oldbuck he seemed to be on the high-speed gear himself. First thing I knewhe bumped me for fair, and then came back to stick me with his horns. ButI didn't just care for knowing him any closer, and I rolled out of theway. "

"You managed to get your tree after that, didn't you, Steve?"

"Seems like I did, Max, though honest to goodness, now, if you asked mehow I did it I couldn't tell you. Reckon I must have just _flown_. "

"Yes, " laughed Max, "they always say fear has wings. "

"Oh, now, looky here, you're mistaken, Max, sure you are. I wasn't afraidright then, only somewhat rattled. "

"From the excitement of the thing, " remarked Max. "Of course, and anybodywould have been about the same. But lend a hand here and let's turn ourdeer over, Steve. I want to see where you hit him. "

This they speedily accomplished; and then Steve, who had been ponderingover something, broke loose again. 

"Max, " he said, with a little quiver to his voice, "I noticed just nowthat you said _our_ deer. Do you mean to let me claim a share in thisthing, then?"

"Why, of course, " replied the other, as if in surprise; "we both shothim. See, here's where a buckshot from your gun struck him in the side. They must have scattered more than you thought they'd do at such a shortdistance. "

"Yes, " said Steve; "looks like it. But, Max, it was you who killed him. "

"Oh, I ended him, that's right, " said Max, who was nothing if notgenerous, "but only for you holding him here after wounding him, wherewould I have come in? Why, I'd never have had the first sight of thebuck. "

"Yes, that's so, " said Steve, smiling grimly, "I _held_ him all right, didn't I? But when he was chasing me around that old tree so lively, Max, somehow I didn't happen to look at it that way. Fact is, I thought theplagued buck was holding me. "

"All the same, " declared Max in a tone that settled it, "we got him, andboth of us gave him a chance to bleed. You weakened him at first, youknow. "

"Oh, did I?" remarked Steve, feeling of his ribs, as if to make sure noneof them were broken. "Well, you see, I can't help but wonder what wouldhave happened to me if the old beast hadn't been weakened, just like yousay. "

That was too much for Max. And, besides, having coaxed the whole storyfrom his chum now, he thought it would not matter very much if he didindulge in a good laugh. 

To his surprise Steve joined in. Evidently the realization that he hadactually helped kill a genuine five-pronged buck, fulfilling his wildestdream, caused Steve to be less "touchy" than usual. 

"But we must manage to get him home some way, Max, " he remarked after awhile, when they had grown weary of admiring their prize. 

"Think we could tote several hundred pounds four miles?" demanded Max. "If it was a little doe, now, I might be willing to tie the legs along apole and try it; but I balk at this big chap. "

"Then what shall we do?" asked Steve. 

"I'm going to cut it up the best way I know how, " his chum replied. "Allwe want to take along is one hind quarter. Plenty on that for two meals. And like as not we'll find the old chap pretty tough. "

Accordingly the boys set to work. Steve knew next to nothing about suchthings, but was willing to do whatever his comrade asked of him. Andwhile Max professed to be a clumsy butcher, he certainly did his work ina way to draw out words of praise from the delighted chum. 

"There, that job is done, " said Max, when the sun was nearly halfway downthe western sky, "and I'm glad of it, too. "

"We can take turns carrying the hind quarter, " remarked Steve, heftingit; "after all, it doesn't seem so very heavy. "

"I'm going to wrap it in the skin, which I removed the first thing, " Maxcontinued. 

"But it's too bad to leave all the rest of our fine buck, " sighed Steve. 

"Oh, don't think I mean to let the foxes and other animals make way withthe rest of the venison! I've got this rope here around my waist; youknow it comes in handy sometimes. "

Steve laughed. 

"For pulling silly fellows out of quicksand and bog holes, " he remarked. "Oh, yes, don't think I've forgotten what happened in that Great DismalSwamp. But do you mean to yank the carcass up in a tree, Max? Is that theway you expect to use the rope?"

Max nodded in reply. 

They soon accomplished this. 

Max seemed to know just how to go about it, and presently the balance ofthe deer swung there in space, six feet or more from the ground, and asmany below the strong limb over which the rope had been thrown. 

"Think it'll be safe, do you?" asked Steve, puffing from the exertion ofpulling such a weight upward. 

"From every kind of animal but a bobcat. If one of that tribe happensalong and is hungry, of course he could drop down on the upper part andmunch away, " was the reply Max made. 

"Which happens to be the fore quarters of the buck, the part we don'tcare about so much, " said Steve. 

"Oh, I had that in mind when I fixed the rope, Steve. "

"I might have guessed it, because you're always thinking ahead, Max. Andshall we start for home now?"

"Shortly. Let's get rested a bit more. And I want to fix directionsstraight in my mind so we'll hit the cabin first shot, " Max answered. 

"Four miles, you said, didn't you?" Steve asked, with a big sigh; for nowthat the excitement was over he began to feel tired again. 

"That's what Uncle Jim said, " remarked Max. 

After a while they started on their way and trudged along nearly twomiles in silence, Steve insisting on sharing the load, which Max had madepossible by fastening the venison to a pole, so that each could grasp it. 

"Max, " said Steve about this time. 

"Yes, what is it?" replied the other, as they changed places. 

"Catamounts and lynx and bobcats like fresh meat, of course; but youdon't think now, do you, Max, they'd hurt those beautiful five-prongedhorns?"

"Of course not, " replied the other, walking on again. 

"Because we ought to get those to mount and keep in one of our rooms athome, Max. "

"Your room, Steve; you're a thousand times welcome to my share in them. "

"Oh, thank you, Max, that's awful kind. "

After a wearisome march they approached the cabin. It was late in theafternoon, but no friendly smoke arose from the chimney. 

The returned hunters saw this fact with astonishment. 

"What does it mean!" Steve remarked, as they came to a halt and set theirburden down upon the ground. 

"Hi, fellows!" called a voice. 

Some one stepped out of the bushes across the little clearing and wavedhis hand. It was Owen, and he seemed to be beckoning in the mostmysterious manner possible. 

Max and Steve exchanged puzzled looks. 

"What in the dickens is up now!" exclaimed the latter. 

"Owen wants us to cross over to where he is, " Max went on to say; "and Ireckon the quickest way to find out is to join him. "

"Ginger, I can see Toby there, too; yes, and now I get a glimpse ofTrapper Jim and Bandy-legs! They're all sitting in a row on that log, Max, and lookin' solemn-like at the cabin. What in the wide world is up?She ain't a-fire that I can notice. "

"Come along; let's find out, " said Max, stooping to his end of the poleupon which the hind quarter of venison was slung. 

"I'll just bust if I don't know soon, because I hate mysteries, " mutteredSteve, as he copied the example of his chum. 

When the two victorious hunters came upon the rest, Jim and Toby andBandy-legs got up off the log. They even smiled a little, but Max thoughtthere was something rather forced about this half grin. 

"What's happened?" he asked. 

"Yes, " added Steve impetuously, "what are you all pulling such long facesfor, just like it was a funeral or something; tell us that?"

"It _is_ something nigh as bad as a funeral, " said Trapper Jim, a twinkleappearing in his eye. 

"We're certainly bereft--of our home, " added Owen, making a wry face. 

"What!" gasped Steve, looking from the speaker across to the cabin. 

"It's not exactly a funeral, but an eviction, " remarked Owen again. 

"He means, " said Bandy-legs, "we're kicked out of our cabin--thatto-night we'll have to sleep on the cold, hard ground, with only the skyfor a blanket. And what's worse, it was my turn to try that jolly oldbunk. Hang the luck, why couldn't he stay where he belonged and leave usalone!"

"Say, if it's an animal that's got in, and is holding the fort, why, let's go up and cross-fire him from the windows, " suggested impetuousSteve. 

"Not on your life!" exclaimed Trapper Jim, catching hold of Steve beforehe could break away. "That's just what we _don't_ want to do--disturb himtoo violently or kill him while he chooses to hold the fort there. "

"But why are you so careful about his health, Uncle Jim?" asked thebewildered Steve. 

"Because our guest happens to be a striped skunk!" was the appallinganswer he received. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

SMOKING THE INTRUDER OUT. 

"A polecat!" gasped Steve. "Thunder! What a nice mess we're in. "

"That's just what, " echoed Bandy-legs. "It's half an hour now since UncleJim sighted the striped beast through the window. He was a-settin' on thetable then, and having a spread all by himself. Then, of course, afterthat he gets sleepy, and I just bet you right now he's curled up as niceas you please in the very bunk I expected to occupy to-night. Just myluck!"

"But we ought to get rid of him, " said Max, hardly knowing whether tolaugh or feel provoked, for he was very tired and hungry and did notenjoy the prospect of sleeping out-of-doors without even a solitaryblanket, while that saucy little beast retained possession of the wholecabin. 

"We've been waiting and watching and hoping this half hour and more, "said Owen, with a rather forlorn smile; "but still he doesn't come out ofthe window where he must have gone in. "

"H-h-he likes it in t-t-there. Most c-c-comfortable place he evers-s-struck, " Toby remarked. 

"Where were the dogs when he went in?" Max asked. 

"Off with us, " replied Owen. 

"We got back an hour before noon, " Trapper Jim remarked. "After lunch wehung around for a while and I fixed all the pelts we brought in. "

"Any mink?" asked Steve, eagerly. 

"Yes, one good pelt, " answered Jim. "Then, about the middle of theafternoon I said we might take a little range around on our own hook andset the bear trap in the bargain, for the old chap had been along thetrail to the marsh again. "

"Bully!" exclaimed Steve, who was hard to keep quiet. 

"We tied the dogs some little distance away from where we meant to setour bear trap, because they'd want to follow the trail and spoileverything, " Uncle Jim went on. 

"And we helped him set her, too, " remarked Bandy-legs, proudly. 

"Yes, if we get a bear, it'll be partly yours, boys, " the trapper went onto say. "After that part of the business had been carried out we startedon our hunt. But to tell you the truth, boys, we never saw a thing worthshooting. "

Max suspected that Toby and Bandy-legs made so much noise flounderingthrough the dry leaves that they gave every squirrel and rabbit plenty ofwarning, so that they could make themselves scarce long before theexpedition came along. 

But if this was the truth Trapper Jim would not say so. What were a fewrabbits or squirrels in comparison with the company of these jolly, interesting boys? The game he had with him all the time, but not so Owen, Toby, and Bandy-legs. 

"Then we came home again, " said Owen, taking up the story; "and it was bythe greatest luck ever that Uncle Jim just happened to look in at theopen window and discovered the skunk. Just think what might have happenedif we'd burst in on the little beast and scared it!"

"And me with only one suit, which is bad enough as it is, having holesburned in it, without having to bury the same, " Bandy-legs remarked. 

"Oh, " said Steve, "you wouldn't have felt it much, for p'r'aps we'd haveburied you with your clothes. But, however, are we going to coax himout of there, boys?"

"I move Steve be appointed a committee of one to go and ask our friendthe skunk to vacate the ranch, " said Owen. 

"A good idea, " added Max. "Steve, he's got a most convincing way withanimals. They take to him on sight. "

"Yes, that five-pronged buck did, you're right, Max, " admitted thecandidate for fresh honors. "But I draw the line on skunks. "

"They ain't got a line; Uncle Jim says it's a stripe, " vociferatedBandy-legs. 

"But the day's nearly done and we've got to do something about it, "remarked Trapper Jim. "Can't one of you think up a way? He acts likehe meant to stay in there as long as the feed holds out. "

"Perhaps he's heard the dogs, " suggested Owen. "We've got them tied upclose by, and every little while one gives a yelp. "

"They seem to just know there's something up, " declared Bandy-legs. 

"S-s-sure t-t-thing, " added Toby, seriously. 

"Max, haven't you got a plan?" asked the owner of the cabin, turningtoward the other eagerly, as though he guessed that if they found help atall it would be in this quarter. 

"I was just thinking of something, " replied the boy, smiling. 

"Yes, go on, " Trapper Jim continued. 

"We couldn't coax him out, and if we tried to frighten the little rascalit'd be all day with our staying in that cabin again while we boys are uphere. But perhaps he might be made to feel so unpleasant in there thathe'd be glad to move off. "

"Good for you, Max; I can see you've got an idea, " cried out Jim, approvingly. 

"I don't think skunks like smoke any more than any other wild animals!"Max ventured. 

"Smoke!" ejaculated Steve. "Hallelujah! Max has caught on to a bully goodidea. Let's smoke the little beggar out. Everyone get busy now. "

"Hold on, " said Trapper Jim, catching Steve by the sleeve again; "goslow. "

"Yes, go mighty slow, " complained Bandy-legs. "You know well enough, Steve Dowdy, that I can't smoke at all. There's no use of my trying, because it makes me awful sick every time. "

"Listen to that, would you!" laughed Steve. "The simple believes we'reall going to get pipes and blow the smoke through some chinks in thecabin walls. Cheer up, old fellow, it ain't quite as bad as that. "

"When we've got some stuff that will burn, " continued Max, "I'll climb upon the roof, set fire to it, and drop it down the chimney. Then after itgets a good start I'll follow it with some weeds Uncle Jim will gather, and which he knows must send out a dense smoke after I've clapped a boardover the top of the chimney flue. "

"Bravo!" cried Owen, so loud that the chained dogs near by startedbarking. 

"A very original scheme, " said Trapper Jim, patting Max on the back. "Andthe sooner we start in to try how it works, the better. "

"I've got only one objection, " Steve spoke up. 

"Well, let's hear it, " demanded Owen, frowning. 

"I think Max ought to let Bandy-legs run that part of the business, "Steve went on to say, "he knows more about chimneys than all the rest ofthe push put together. He's examined 'em from top to bottom inside. "

"Oh, rats!" mocked the one upon whose unwilling head all these highhonors were being heaped. 

"I object, " spoke up Toby, bound to have his say. "B-b-bandy-legs neverc-c-could resist the t-t-temp-tation to d-d-drop in himself. And thinkwhat'd h-h-happen if the s-s-skunk saw him comin' out of thef-f-fireplace a-whoopin'. "

"Let's get the stuff to burn, lads, " said Trapper Jim, who certainlyenjoyed hearing the boys chaff each other in this way. "And everybodykeep away from that side of the house where the window stands open. "

They were not long in finding what they wanted. 

"Make this up in a little bundle, boys, so I can drop it down quick afterI've set a match to it, " and Max gathered the dry stuff together as hespoke, waiting for one of the rest to tie it with a cord. 

"And this other I'd drop down loose like, " said Trapper Jim, as he heldup the bunch of half-dead weeds he had collected. "These give out theblackest smoke you ever saw, and if you shut off the draft after they getgoing good and hard, nothing living could stay long in that cabin. "

"That's the ticket!" remarked Steve, enthusiastically. 

He certainly did enjoy action more than any one of the chums. Steve washappy only when there was "something doing, " even though the source ofexcitement lay in a miserable little highly scented skunk that had takena liking to Jim's cozy cabin and seemed ready to remain thereindefinitely. 

So they adjourned to the rear of the little squatty structure. Everybodytook great care to keep away from the one open window. Some of the boyshad had little or no experience with the species of friendly animal nowoccupying their quarters. Still, it was strange how great a respect forhis feelings they entertained. Why, no fellow seemed to want to even be_seen_ looking rudely in. 

Max readily climbed upon the roof. 

He purposely made considerable noise while so doing, and for goodreasons. It was just as well that the inmate of Jim's cabin knew theywere around and objected to his remaining there. 

And then, again, Max had a little fear lest the skunk make a suddenappearance, popping out of the chimney before he could really get busy. That event, should it take place, would likely enough upset all hiswell-planned calculations. 

Max under such conditions would wisely seek safety in flight. Indeed, hehad already picked out the very place where he could jump from the roofof the cabin and make sure of landing in a soft spot. 

As soon as he reached the roof he hurried over to the chimney, intendingto start operations by dropping something down. 

"I ought to notify the little rascal that the flue is marked dangerous, "Max was saying to himself, "so that if he's started up he can just backdown again. "

Fortunately nothing happened, and Max was not compelled to take thatsudden flying leap. 

The chimney, as is the case with all log cabins, was built on theoutside. It was composed of slabs of wood, secured with a mortar madeprincipally of certain mud. 

In process of time this became thoroughly baked, and the heat assisted inthis transformation. It was now as hard as flint rock. 

That the flue was a generous one we already know. Had that not been thecase Bandy-legs could never have fallen down through it to land in thefireplace below. 

Max had counted on this fact. 

Having notified the intruder to keep away from the fireplace underpenalty of getting hurt, and feeling that the way was now open toundertake the carrying out of his little scheme, Max returned to thepoint where he had reached the roof. 

The others had seen to it that the balance of his dry stuff was placedwhere he could lay hands on the same. So Max by degrees dumped all thisdown after the first lot. 

"Now to set it going, " he remarked. 

"You seem to be having a bully old time up there all by your lonely, " saidSteve, half enviously. 

"Oh, I'm a cheerful worker, " Max replied. 

He had arranged some of the best of the stuff so that after applying amatch he could send it down upon the top of all that had gone before. 

"How is it?" asked Trapper Jim, who was standing on something or other, so that his head came above the low, almost flat roof. 

"It's burning all right; I can see it taking hold, " came the reply fromMax, who had been cautiously peering down the gaping chimney. 

"Then take this stuff and follow suit, " remarked the other, handing upthe armful of weeds he had himself gathered. 

"Hurry up about it, too, Max, " sang out Steve. "We want the show tobegin. It's cold down here, believe me. "

"Oh, it'll be warm enough, " declared the owner of the cabin, "if thatonary little beast turns this way after he crawls out of the window. AndI'll advise you all to give him plenty of room. "

"We will, thank you, " the others sang out in a chorus. "Oh, you skunk, welike you--at a distance! Go ahead, Max, fix him!"

Having dropped the weeds Jim had selected down the flue, Max only waiteduntil the black smoke began to pour out. 

Then he quickly clapped a board Jim happened to own over the top. 

"That ends my part of the work here, " he called out, crawling over to theside of the cabin where he could have an unobstructed view. 

Heads appeared around the corners of the structure, but no soul wasventuresome enough to dare show himself in plain view. 

And so they waited to see what the result of the bright plan would be. Already smoke was oozing out of the opening on the side, and it did notseem possible that anything but a salamander could stand the stiflingfumes much longer. 

CHAPTER IX. 

BEFORE THE BLAZING LOGS. 

"He's coming!" called out Max from above. 

"Take care, everybody!" cried Trapper Jim. 

In one way it was laughable to see the tremendous excitement caused bythe small striped animal with the bushy tail. The skunk emerged from thewindow in something of haste. Reaching the ground it seemed to cast onelook backward, as though either feeling provoked at being forced tovacate such nice quarters, or else wondering what all that rank odor ofsmoldering weeds meant. 

Then the skunk sauntered jauntily off toward the woods, looking as saucyas you please. The dogs bayed from their place of confinement; the boysstepped out to wave their hands after their departing guest; but not onewas bold enough to wish to lay a hand on him. 

"Good-by and good luck!" called Trapper Jim. 

"Next time don't stay so long, " laughed Owen. 

"He's little, but oh, my, how mighty!" remarked Steve. 

"Look out, he's stopped!" shrieked Bandy-legs, and with that everybodymade a headlong plunge back of the cabin again. 

Indeed, Bandy-legs himself hid in a thicket and looked rather white onreappearing again after Max sang out that the coast was clear. 

"They say one swallow don't make a spring, " remarked Owen, when alldanger was over, "but it strikes me one polecat does. "

Of course, since the object of his labor had now been successfullyaccomplished, Max took the board away from the top of the chimney. 

This allowed the smoke to escape in a normal way. 

But when they stepped inside the cabin the boys were loud in theirexpressions of disgust. 

"That weed was sure a corker for smell as well as smoke, Uncle Jim!"declared Owen. 

"Well, I guess you're right there, " chuckled the trapper. "I admit itdoes run a pretty fair race with Mr. Skunk himself, and that's why theygive it his name. But it did the business all right, eh, boys?"

"That's what, " assented Steve, who had been holding his breath until hecould get used to the tainted atmosphere. 

"And we ought to be thankful it's no worse, " declared Max, joining them. 

"Yes, " Trapper Jim went on to say, "I remember a case where in a loggingcamp some greenhorn was foolish enough to kill one of the animals, andthe result was they had to build new quarters. Nobody could stand it inthe old place. There's nothing more lasting. "

"It ain't overly nice right now, " asserted Steve. "I'm wondering which Ilike least, the perfume our visitor left or the one your old skunkweedmade. "

"Oh, we'll soon change all that, boys, " declared Trapper Jim. "Build upthe fire and we'll get busy. Just wait and see how it's done. "

It was, after all, a very simple thing. 

Trapper Jim's idea seemed to be built on the principle that "like iscured by like. " He believed in overpowering one odor with another. 

And when that cabin began to fill up with the appetizing scent of fryingonions, flanked by that of some ground coffee, which Jim allowed toscorch close to the flames, even "hard-to-please Steve" admitted thateverything seemed peaceful and lovely again. 

"But after this, " he remarked, "I hope when we all go away from homewe'll be careful to close the blinds as well as the door. "

"Yes, " added Owen, "and hang out a sign 'This house is taken; no skunksneed apply. ' One dose was enough for me. "

"But, s-s-say, wasn't it a c-c-cunning little b-b-beast, " observed Toby, "and d-d-didn't he look real sassy when he m-m-marched off with hist-t-tail up over his s-s-shoulder?"

Steve looked at him severely. 

"You'd better be mighty careful how you admire one of them stripedcritters at close quarters, Toby, if ever you meet one in the woods, " heremarked. 

"S-s-sure I will be careful, " replied the other, with a wide grin. 

"Because, " Steve went on to say, "if you ever do get in collision withone, we'll have to bury every stitch you've got on, crop your hair close, and make you sleep and live in some old hollow tree. Ain't that so, UncleJim!"

"I guess that's about the size of it, " came the reply. 

"Oh, you d-d-don't need to w-w-worry about me, " Toby hastened to say. "Iknow enough to k-k-keep out of the r-r-rain. I d-d-don't like hisl-l-loud ways any b-b-better'n the rest of you. "

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you, " Steve continued, severely. "I'm alittle suspicious about you, Toby, because you always did like cats. AndI'm going to keep an eye out to-morrow for a handy hollow tree so's to beall ready. "

"Oh, s-s-shucks! I h-h-hope you'll n-n-need it your own self, " was whatToby sent back at him. 

By the time supper was ready the boys were as hungry as a pack of wolvesin January. And everything tasted so good, too. 

Trapper Jim showed them how to cook some of the venison in a mostappetizing way. It was "some tough, " as even the proud Steve admitted;but, then, what boy with a gnawing appetite ever bothered about such asmall thing?

The idea that they had actually shot the deer themselves would cover amultitude of sins in the eyes of the young Nimrods. 

And while they were satisfied that the disagreeable odor left behind bytheir unwelcome guest had been dissipated, Trapper Jim knew better. Theywould detect faint traces of it about the place for days to come, andfind no difficulty about believing the trapper's story about theabandonment of a lumber camp. 

"Are all s-s-skunks s-s-striped like that one was?" asked Toby, duringthe progress of the meal. 

"There he goes again, " burst out Steve; "I tell you, fellows, we're goingto have a peck of trouble with this here inquirin' mind of Toby's. "

"G-g-go chase yourself!" blurted out the stuttering boy, indignantly. "I'm only tryin' to g-g-get information at c-c-close quarters. "

"And you'll get it, all right, " chuckled Steve. "You'll be satisfied, Ireckon; but think of us, what we'll have to stand. Just you let thatclose quarters racket die out, Toby Jucklin. "

"Some of the animals are jet black, " remarked the trapper, "and theyfetch a better price than the striped skins. "

"Glory be!" ejaculated Bandy-legs. 

"What's the matter with you?" demanded Steve. 

"You don't mean to tell me they use the skins for furs?" Bandy-legscontinued. 

"Sure they do, " replied Steve; "ain't that so, Uncle Jim?"

"They make splendid furs, " was what the trapper remarked. "The stripedones are dyed, of course. And they have a way of removing any faint odorthat happens to remain. "

"Faint odor!" echoed Steve, sniffing the atmosphere. "I wonder if thereever is such a thing in connection with these awful beasts. "

"That shows you haven't read up about them, Steve, " remarked Owen. "Why, there are a whole lot of skunk farms all over the Northern States. "

"You're fooling me, Owen, " declared Steve, reproachfully. 

"How about it, Uncle Jim; am I kidding him?" demanded Owen, turningtoward the old trapper, who was enjoying all this talk immensely. 

"Heaps of skunk farms, yes, siree, " he replied, promptly. "They soon getto know the man who feeds them and give him no trouble. He's a peaceablelittle critter, and only when he gets excited does he go to extremes. "

"Well, I want to give 'em all a wide berth, " Steve asserted. "And if Imeet one in the woods I'm willing to let him have the whole path. I'dtake off my hat and bow in the bargain, if I thought he wanted me to. Because I've got a whole lot of respect for the skunk family. They'rejust immense!"

So they talked and jollied each other as they went on eating one of the"bulliest suppers" they had ever sat down to, as more than one of theboys loudly declared. 

The dogs had been brought in and were given their share from the remainsof the venison that had been cooked, the balance of the hind quarterhaving been hung out in the frosty air. 

All of the boys had taken a decided fancy to the dogs, and in return theintelligent animals seemed to reciprocate this friendly feeling. Accustomed to sharing the cabin with the trapper at night as his onlycompanions during the long winter months, they did not take kindly to thenew rule that made them sleep out in a kennel while the boys werepresent. And when allowed inside they hugged the fire in a way that toldhow much they appreciated its cheery warmth. 

They were lying there later on in the night and Trapper Jim had justmentioned that it must be time for him to take the dogs out, when oldAjax lifted his head and growled. Immediately little yellow Don did thesame. 

"What ails 'em?" asked Steve, as the dogs got up and stood there, thehair along their necks and backs rising up. 

"Oh, I reckon they scent some animal prowling around outside, " remarkedthe trapper, making for the door. 

"Good gracious! I hope now it ain't that same old skunk come back becausehe's changed his mind!" exclaimed Bandy-legs, glancing hastily around, asif to see where he could hide. 

The trapper, however, seemed to know that there was no danger along thoselines. He took down the bar, and, throwing open the door, stepped out. 

As he did so there was a sudden vicious snarl that thrilled the boys, andthen the dogs bounded out with a chorus of wild barks. 

CHAPTER X. 

THE TRAIL OF THE CLOG. 

The excitement was tremendous for the time being, with the barking of thetwo dogs and the cries of the boys. 

All of them had heard that savage snarl as Trapper Jim stepped out. 

"Was it a bobcat?" demanded Steve, who had been wise enough to snatch uphis gun before following the trapper out of the door. 

"Just what it was, " replied the other. 

"Three to one he was at our meat!" exclaimed Max. 

"You can see it swinging yet, " declared Owen. 

"That's right, son, " the trapper admitted; he was hanging to it when Ibroke out so sudden-like. When he snarled like that I ducked some, because it ain't the nicest thing a-going to have a bobcat on yourshoulders. But I saw him make a spring and land among the branches of thetree. Then he was gone, and the dogs they run out, givin' tongue. "

"The moon's just climbin' in sight, " said Steve, eagerly; "d'ye think I'dstand a chance to get a crack at him if I hurried along to where the dogsare barking like mad?"

He acted as though seriously contemplating such a bold move. The trapperlaid a hand on his shoulder. 

"You'd best stay just where you be, son, " he said, quietly, but in a waySteve understood. "Only a foolish or reckless hunter'd try to get atlose quarters with a bobcat of nights. They scratch like fun, and there'salways danger of blood poisoning from such wounds. "

So Steve was forced to restrain his ardor. But he relinquished his planwith rather bad grace. 

"I'll get you yet, old feller, " he was heard to mutter, as they heard thewildcat emit a mocking, tantalizing cry at some little distance away. "You see if I don't, now!"

And when Steve once set his mind upon accomplishing anything, hegenerally got there, for he was very persistent. 

Trapper Jim, thinking that the dogs had had all the excitement necessary, and wishing to put a stop to their racket, blew a whistle he carried. 

So well trained were the dogs that upon hearing the signal to return totheir master they immediately stopped barking and a few minutes laterAjax showed up, quickly followed by Don. 

"You chased him off, didn't you?" said the trapper, stooping down to pathis pets by turns. 

The dogs each gave a single bark, as though to say "yes, " and theirwagging tails told how much they appreciated these few words of praisefrom their master. 

"Will the cat come back again, do you think?" Owen asked. 

"I reckon not, " laughed Trapper Jim; "since he's found out we keep dogsaround the camp. A bobcat hates dogs about as much as human beings doskunks. If you ever run across him again, Steve, it'll be somewhere else;p'r'aps up where you left the rest of your fine buck. "

"Well, he didn't get our breakfast, anyway, " remarked Bandy-legs, quitebold again, since all the danger seemed past. 

"Will you leave it out there after this, Uncle Jim?" asked Max. 

"On the whole, " replied the other, "I guess not. It'll keep all rightindoors. And if that hungry cat should come back, the dogs'll smell himand keep up a tarnal barkin' that'll knock our sleep galley-west. "

So he proceeded to lower what was left of the venison, which wasthereupon carried inside the house and hung up from the rafters, alongwith numerous other things--packages of dried herbs, stalks of tobaccowhich Jim had had sent up from Kentucky, where a friend grew the weed, and some dried venison that he called "pemmican" or jerked meat. 

As they were all tired and in need of a good night's rest, the boys werejust as well pleased with this assurance that their sleep should not bebroken. 

"I guess that pesky skunk didn't have time to crawl in my bunk, "announced Bandy-legs, in a satisfied tone, after sniffing the blanketscarefully. 

"Oh, you're always seeing ghosts where there ain't none!" declared Steve. 

The night passed away without any serious disturbance. Once or twicethere was an outbreak of barking on the part of the dogs, still hauntedby memories of the bold bobcat that had dared come so close to the cabin. Trapper Jim had to go out once to quiet Ajax, whose deep-toned bayingseemed to annoy him. 

Morning arrived, and the boys, as usual, were up at the first peep ofday. There was so much to be done they could not waste time in trying tosleep after the darkness had gone. 

On this particular day quite a number of things awaited their attention. First of all they meant to seek the spot where the big bear trap had beenset in the hopes that they would find Bruin caught. 

This was only a beginning. 

Next in order, Steve and Max had decided to start out, taking Toby along, and fetch in the balance of the venison, Toby had expressed a desireto see the arena where Steve and the five-pronged buck held their littlecircus. He also wished to try how fast he could hurry around that tree, so as to be prepared in case the time ever came when necessity wouldcompel him to adopt the same tactics. 

Finally, Trapper Jim, and possibly the ether two boys, would have to makethe rounds of the traps to take out any catch, and set them again. 

On the whole it promised to be a rather energetic day. 

Breakfast having been disposed of the boys all got ready to move on. Thistime the dogs were taken, because they might prove valuable in case abear was caught. But Trapper Jim made sure to hold them in leash. Hevalued the dogs too much to think of taking any more chances of havingthem injured than he could help. There was no need of risking their liveswith a trapped and furious bear when a single bullet would do thebusiness. 

"Close that window, boys, " said the trapper when they were ready to go. 

"You bet we will, " declared Steve. 

"No more unwelcome guests--whew!" ventured Bandy-legs, as he started toaccomplish the duty mentioned by the trapper. 

They made quite a large party as they sallied forth--five boys, thetrapper, and the two dogs. Each of the boys had a gun of some sort, forthey had provided themselves with weapons against this trip to the NorthWoods and two weeks or so with Trapper Jim. 

"I pity the poor bear, " said Max, as he looked around at the assortmentof weapons and the eager faces back of them. 

"He'll sure die of fright when he sees this bunch all in their warpaint, " Steve observed. "'Specially when he gets sight of Bandy-legsthere with that silly old pump gun he bought and is afraid to use. "

"Who's afraid?" sang out the injured party. "I ain't used it just becausethere ain't been no chance yet, see? If I'd been along with Max when thatbuck showed up, guess I'd 'a' give him as good as you did. "

"Listen, would you, fellers!" exclaimed Steve, and then he laughed. "Say, wouldn't it have been a circus if that deer got to chasing Bandy-legsaround a tree! Run? Well, he'd have to stir those stumps of his fasterthan he ever did before in all his life, or he'd be hangin' on the endsof them horns. I guess you're lucky not to have been there, my boy!"

"We're getting near the place where we set that trap, I reckon, " remarkedBandy-legs, partly to change the course of the conversation, for itsometimes made him feel uncomfortable when Steve got to joking upon thesubject of his short lower limbs. 

"Correct, son, " replied the trapper. "I'm glad to see you noticed the layof things when we was here yesterday. "

"It's right over yonder, " continued Bandy-legs, anxious now to let Stevesee that he was not as stupid as the other made out. 

"What makes you so sure of that, Bandy-legs?" asked Max. 

"Why, you see, I remember that tree with the big bunch of scarlet leaves. I was lookin' at that while Uncle Jim set the trap. Ain't another clumplike that anywhere around, I reckon, " was the smart reply Bandy-legsmade. 

The old trapper nodded his head. 

"He's right, " he said. "I took them same five leaves for my mark, too. The trap was set just beyond. But, of course, that ain't sayin' we'llfind it there now. "

"Not find the trap, do you say, Uncle Jim?" exclaimed Bandy-legs; "why, whatever could happen to it?"

"If so be the bear came along and put his foot in, so them powerful jawsthey closed like a vise, I reckon he'd walk off with it, " the trapperreplied. 

"That's so, you didn't fasten the chain to a stake or a tree, " said Owen. 

"But I remember that you had a big clump of wood fixed to the end of thechain; what was that for?" Bandy-legs asked. 

"I k-k-know; that's the c-c-clog, " Toby interrupted them to remark. 

"Just what it was, " Trapper Jim admitted. 

"A clog, was it?" Bandy-legs continued; "but what's the use of it?"

"I'll explain, " the other remarked; "when we set a bear trap we generallyfasten the chain to a heavy piece of wood. When Bruin shuffles off hedrags this after him. And in the course of time it weakens the old chap, for he's losing blood all the time. "

"That's kind of cruel; but go on, Uncle Jim, " Owen remarked. 

"I guess you're about right, son, " said the other, "and there's lotsthat's cruel about this trappin' business. But the women must have theirfurs, and ever since Adam's time I reckon the animals has had to supplycovering for human beings. Eve thought it all over many a time, and I tryto be as humane in my work as anybody could. "

"But there's another use for the clog, isn't there?" asked Max. 

"To be sure there is, " Trapper Jim replied. "You see, it drags on theground and leaves such a plain trail that any tenderfoot could follerit. "

"Then you really have no use for the dogs, " spoke up Owen. "I supposedthey were going to lead us along the trail. "

"Oh, they'll do that, all right, " laughed the trapper; "but to tell thetruth I fetched 'em along for exercise and to keep them from gettinguneasy more'n anything else. "

He stopped and appeared to be listening. 

"Can you tell if he's there?" asked the wondering Bandy-legs. 

"I can tell that he ain't there, " replied the trapper. "It's all as stillas anything. That means either our bear didn't come along his trail afterwe set the trap, or else he's come and carried it away with him. "

"She's gone!" ejaculated Bandy-legs, as he craned his neck the better tosee the spot where, as he remembered, the big trap had been set, artfullyconcealed, squarely in the track Bruin used in going to and fro from themarsh to his chosen den, where he expected to hibernate during the comingwinter. 

"You're correct, son, " Trapper Jim declared. "The bear has been here andwalked off with my prize trap. Here's where the clog tore up the ground, you see. I reckon now any one of you boys could follow them marks. "

"With my lamps blindfolded, " Steve ventured. 

"Then come on with me. We ought to have bear steak for supper to-night, "and holding on to the eager and straining Ajax, while Owen looked afterDon, the trapper led the pursuit. 

Everywhere could be seen the plain marks where the weighty clog hadplowed into the ground when the trapped bear pulled it along after him. 

As the trapper had said, the merest tyro could easily have followed sucha broad, blood-marked trail. 

Sooner or later they must expect to come upon the bear unless he had beenable, through good luck, to reach his den ere now. 

The excitement on the part of the two dogs grew more intense. 

"We must be crawling upon him, I should think, " Max remarked. 

"Just what we're doing, " the trapper replied, "and, unless I miss myguess, we'll find him caught fast in this thicket just ahead. Slow up, boys. There's no need of hurrying any more, for I think he's waiting upfor us right here. "

With their hearts beating like trip hammers the boys now approached thethicket into which the plain trail of the heavy clog seemed to plunge. 

CHAPTER XI

"STEADY, STEVE, STEADY!"

"Listen!" said Trapper Jim. 

All of them became silent. Even the dogs, as if recognizing some vein ofauthority in that one word spoken by their master, ceased barking, thoughstill straining hard in the leash, as though fairly wild to break away. 

There was a crackling of the bushes, and this grew louder. 

"Oh, I see him!" cried Bandy-legs. 

"Get ready to shoot, everybody, if I give this word; but don't pulltrigger unless you hear me yell you to, " called out the trapper. 

Then there was a savage roar that seemed to make the very air quiver. Outof the thicket scrambled a big black bear, looking furious indeed. 

Thinking they were about to be attacked, and in a panic at the very idea, some of the boys leveled their guns. They might have pulled trigger, too, in their excitement, only for the quick warning the old wood's rangergave. 

"Hold your fire, everybody. It's all off. No danger as long as that clogremains fast!" was what he shouted. 

Max could readily grasp the situation. He saw that the angry beast couldonly come just so far, because something was holding one of his hindlegs. 

"The clog's got fast among the rocks in there, and he's held as tight ascan be; that's what's the matter, " Steve sang out. 

Of course the only thing left to do now was for some one to put a bulletwhere it would be apt to do the most good. 

Who would be appointed to carry out this part of the programme?

Steve hoped Trapper Jim would look favorably upon him when seeking acandidate. He had never shot a bear in all his life, and while therewould be little glory attached to the passing of one that was held fastin a trap, still it would be something to think of later on. 

But Trapper Jim was a wise man. He supposed that every one of the boyswas fairly quivering with eagerness to be the one selected. 

As he looked around at the five anxious faces the trapper scratched hishead, as though unable to decide. 

"It can't be did that way, " he muttered. "They must draw lots for it, andthe shortest straw wins out. Hear that, boys?"

"Yes, and it's all to the mustard, " said Steve, keeping on the alert, andready to pour in the contents of both barrels should the trapped beargive any evidence of freeing the clog. 

"Then here goes. "

With that the trapper fastened Ajax to a tree, and then, bending down, picked up a number of twigs. These he seemed to pinch off so that theywere all of a size but one, which was shorter. 

"Remember, boys, " he said, as he mixed these in his hand, so that onecould not be told from the others, "it ain't the longest pole that knocksthe persimmons this time. The feller who gets the short straw has thechance. Take a pick, Steve. "

Steve, of course, could not hold back. And while the dogs were jumping tothe length of their leashes and barking madly, with the bear roaring anaccompaniment as he tugged desperately at his chain, he drew a splinterof wood. 

"Missed! Gee, what tough luck!" Steve exclaimed, in a chagrined voice, ashe stared at his prize. 

"Try your luck, next!" said Trapper Jim. 

Max made a choice. He met with the same result that had given Steve suchan overwhelming sense of disappointment. 

Then Owen stepped up eagerly. 

"I've got it picked out, " he remarked, "and it's all over but theshouting. " Then he chose, and was jeered by Steve. 

"That leaves it a toss-up between Toby Jucklin and Bandy-legs!" heexclaimed, envy plainly marked in his voice. 

The two who had yet to draw looked a little frightened. Truth to tell, neither of them experienced anything in the shape of an overwhelmingdesire to "slay the jabberwock, " as Owen put it. 

"Draw, Toby, and be quick about it, " Steve flung out; "don't you see theold chap's getting all out of patience. Pull out a straw, now, and bedone with it. Whatever you draw settles it. "

So Toby, with trembling fingers, did as he was told. And immediately heglanced down at the one he had taken, he grinned. 

For it was one of the longer straws, similar to those taken by theothers. Bandy-legs grew pale. 

"Do I have to draw?" he asked, almost piteously. 

"Sure you do!" cried Steve. "There's only one left, and you draw that. It's the fatal short one, too. You ring up the prize, Bandy-legs!"

"But--I didn't have any choice!" remonstrated the one selected by fate tobe the executioner of the trapped bear. 

"Huh, I like that!" laughed Steve. "Why, you had a chance every time oneof us stepped up and made a pick. Go on, now, and get ready to do forhim, unless you've got cold feet and want to hand it over to somebodyelse. "

But somehow Steve's jeering remarks had stirred Bandy-legs' pride. Helooked hard at the other. Then he shut his jaws tight together. 

"Thanks! I guess I'll do the job myself!" he remarked. 

"With that pop gun of yours?" asked the incredulous Steve. 

"No, I'm going to ask Max to lend me his rifle, " replied Bandy-legs. 

"Much you know about a repeating rifle!" continued his tormentor. 

"Well, I did fire it a few times at a target, didn't I, Max?" protestedthe chosen one. 

"You sure did, and really hit the target once, " Max hastened to answer, as he exchanged guns with Bandy-legs. 

"Huh, that ain't sayin' much, when like as not the target was a _barn_!"

Ignoring this last thrust from Steve as something beneath his notice, Bandy-legs saw to it that the hammer of the repeating rifle was drawnback. 

"Where'll I stand, Uncle Jim?" he demanded, trying to appear quite cool;but the experienced old trapper knew very well how he was secretlyquivering all over. 

"Here, drop down behind this rock and rest your rifle on it, " he said. "Now, wait till I say the word, and then press the trigger. Aim just backof the foreleg, because you're more apt to reach his heart there. "

"What if I don't kill him?" asked Bandy-legs, with a big sigh. 

"Clap another shell in and give it to him. Reckon you know how to workthe trombone action, don't you?" the trapper went on to say. 

"Sure I do, " answered the Nimrod, lowering his cheek to the stock of thegun. 

"Remember, now, and don't shut your eyes, Bandy-legs!" advised Steve. 

"Let up on that, Steve, " remarked Max, who was greatly interested inseeing the novice get a square deal. 

Half a minute of waiting followed. The dogs continued to jump and bark, and the bear, made savage by his pain, tugged at his chain and growled. 

"Shoot!" said Trapper Jim, suddenly. 

Almost with the word came the clear report of the rifle, showing that atleast Steve's jibes had had the effect of putting Bandy-legs on hismettle. 

With a fearful roar the bear fell over and began struggling. The dogsseemed almost frantic now in their desire to break loose. 

"Quick, work the pump action and get ready!" called out Trapper Jim. 

Bandy-legs managed to do as he was told, though he was shaking so by thistime that he almost let the gun drop. 

"Hold on, no use wasting another shot. I reckon he's done for, " was whathe heard Trapper Jim say. 

"And you've been and gone and killed a real live bear, Bandy-legs!" saidMax. 

The boy heaved a sigh as he gave back the rifle. 

"But he was held fast in a trap, Max, " he said, moodily; "guess thatain't so much to crow over. "

"But ain't he a whopper!" exclaimed Steve, who was at the bear's sidealmost as soon as the animal had ceased to struggle. 

"If we only had a c-c-camera here now we'd take him with his f-f-footplanted on the old b-b-bear and holdin' his g-g-gun!" exclaimed Toby. 

Here was plenty of work for all hands. 

The bear must first of all be skinned, because Jim said he had a splendidhide that would be worth a good deal to him when properly dried. 

Then they wanted some of the meat, in fact all that was worth while, forJim would dry that which they did not consume. 

"Plenty of fat, too, " he observed, as he worked. "I like that, becauseI'm short just now on bear's grease, and a supply would come in handy. "

"What do you use it for, Uncle Jim?" asked Owen. 

"Dozens of things. I rub it on boots, I keep my guns and ax from rustin'by smearin' it on. Why, long ago in the woods I've known where familiesmade candles out of bear's fat by using a wick in the middle. "

By degrees he managed to cut the bear up. The meat was wrapped inpackages, so that it might all be transported to the cabin. 

"What about the trap; will you set it again?" asked Steve. 

"Not here, " was the reply. "No other bear is likely to come along thetrail this fellow made. One of you boys had best tote it back home. I mayneed it again this winter if the season stays open and the bears come outto look around, like they do mild winters. "

It was well on toward noon when they arrived once more at the cabin, eachone being pretty well loaded down. 

They concluded to have a bite to eat before attempting anything further. But the cooking of the bear meat would have to be deferred until laterin the day, as it would take too much time. 

Feeling refreshed after their meal, the boys announced themselves readyto undertake any further business. 

Max, Steve, and Toby were to take that four-mile tramp after the venisonthat had been left behind on their former trip. 

"Seems like we're getting our share of happenings up here, " remarkedSteve, as he and his two chums tramped steadily on. 

"Well, yes, it does look that way, Steve. "

"Things come along right smart these days and nights, " continued theother. "And already it's paid us for the long trip, 'cording to mycalculations. "

"It certainly has, " admitted Max. 

"With more'n a week more to come, " added Steve. "And there's only onething I feel bad about, too. "

"I think I could give a guess what that is, " said Max; "the bobcat. "

"Hit it plumb center that time, " laughed the other, as he shifted his gunto the other shoulder, for on the four-mile tramp it was beginning tofeel rather heavy. 

"Well, I wouldn't bother my head any over that fellow getting awayscot-free, " Max continued. "He didn't do any damage, and, as Uncle Jimsays, you might have been sorry if you went out in the dark woods lookingfor trouble. When anybody does that he generally finds it, all right. "

"But I hope I just happen on the old pirate again while we're up in thisneck of the woods, " observed the persistent Steve. "I'd just like to lookalong the barrels of my gun at the varmint, as Jim calls him. "

"Yes, Steve, and he said he had an idea this was the same old cat thatgave him a peck of trouble last winter, stealing some of the animals thatwere in his traps, but always avoiding getting caught himself. "

"Why, Uncle Jim even tried to poison the thief, but nary a bite would thecat take of the doctored meat, " Steve went on. "I hope this is the sametough old customer and that I sight him when I've got my gun along, that's all. "

"We've got there, Steve. I can see the very tree where we hung up thebalance of the little buck we knocked over. "

Steve could not but note how Max persistently gave him an equal share inthe credit of killing the deer. It warmed his heart toward such agenerous chum. But, then, that was always the way with Max Hastings. 

"Let's go a little slow, Steve, " he continued; "we can't see the deer, because of the leaves that still hang on to the oak. "

Silently then they advanced. 

And just as they arrived at a spot where they could see the hangingcarcass, again did they hear that ferocious snarl as on the precedingnight. Steve instantly threw his gun up to his shoulder, and at the sameinstant he heard Max at his elbow saying:

"Steady, Steve, steady! Look out, he's going to jump. "

CHAPTER XII. 

THE END OF A THIEF. 

The wildcat had evidently found the hanging carcass not a great whilebefore. At the time the three boys approached he had been regalinghimself as he clung to the upper part of the dangling buck. 

Being only half satisfied he seemed angry at being disturbed in his meal. The boys happened to be "down the wind" from him, and this would explainhow it was they came upon him apparently unawares. But when a wildcat isin a frightfully bad humor he does not run off very easily, and this one, according to what Uncle Jim had said, was unusually bold. He had provedthis by approaching the cabin of the trapper on the preceding night. 

Crouching there on the swaying carcass of the deer, and with his chopsall bloody from his recent meal which they had disturbed, the bobcatpresented a truly terrifying appearance. 

His short ears were laid back close to his head, his yellow eyes glowedas though they were balls of phosphorescence, and the hair on his backseemed to stand up on end. 

Max had his gun in readiness, too. 

He was not going to take any more chances than were necessary. Steveseemed to be all ready to fire, and he knew the other to be a pretty goodshot. But, then, who could wholly depend upon such an excitable fellow?

Then the cat sprang!

Max heard Toby utter a shout of warning that was swallowed up in atremendous roar close to his ears. Max sprang aside, and he thought hesaw Steve doing the same sort of stunt. Toby was already safe behind thefriendly trunk of a tree. 

To the relief of Max the leaping cat seemed to crumple up in the air. Itturned completely over, as though by the impact of something that hadstruck it. And when it reached the ground it lay even beyond the hangingvenison. 

"Wow!" came from Steve. 

He was scrambling to his feet, having dropped his gun. There was a lookof mingled satisfaction, surprise, and pain upon his face. 

"What's the matter?" asked Max, noticing how the other was rubbing hisright shoulder where the butt of his shotgun had rested. 

"Hurts like fun!" replied Steve, making a wry face. 

"You mean it kicked, don't you, Steve?"

"Kick? Well, I'll be sore for a month of Sundays, " replied the other, grunting as he touched a tender part. "Did you see me go over?"

"Sure I did, but I thought you were dodging the leap of the cat, the sameas I did myself, " returned Max. 

"Dodging nothing!" said Steve. "I tell you that pesky gun clean kicked meoff my pins. Never had it play me such a trick before. "

Max stooped and picked up the shotgun. Then he laughed. 

"It's all as simple as pie, " he said. 

"Do you mean I was that excited I pulled both triggers at once?" criedSteve. 

"Well, both hammers are down, and, " breaking the gun as he spoke, "youcan see for yourself the shells are empty. "

"Glory! No wonder I blew that old cat away, then!" cried Steve. "Withall those two dozen buckshot chasing through him the poor critter musthave been nearly torn to pieces. And there my fine door mat goesa-glimmering!"

Investigation proved that Steve's fears were realized. The terrificdischarge at such close quarters had so riddled the skin of the wildcatthat it was not worth attempting to save. 

"What a shame!" said Steve, as he got up again after examining the deadbeast. "He was a jim-dandy, too. If I'd only had a crack at him thirtyyards away instead of ten feet, I'd have saved that lovely pelt. "

"But it was a corking good shot, I tell you, Steve, " declared Max, warmly. 

"That's j-j-just what it was, " added Toby, who had parted company withthe friendly tree, now that the danger seemed a thing of the past. 

"To hit a tiger cat sitting on a limb is considered a good enoughshowing, " continued Max; "but to knock holes through him while he is inthe air jumping deserves high credit. Think of that every time yourshoulder hurts. "

"Anyhow, " remarked Steve, cheerfully, "I can bat right or left handed, and I can shoot a gun the same old way; so this little accident won'tknock me out of the running. But I'd be happier if I hadn't just ruinedthat skin. "

"Well, better lug him home, anyway, if you feel able to, " advised Max. "Uncle Jim will be glad if he recognizes the crafty old thief of lastwinter in this cat you knocked down. "

"Guess I will, " Steve remarked, "though he'll be a load to tote. We'llwait and see how you come on with the venison. "

"Oh, don't bother about that, " said Max. "Toby and myself will look outfor all we want to take with us. "

"But those antlers--I promised to decorate my room with those, Max!"

"That's all right, " declared Max. "Come for them before we leave here. You know the place, and by that time the foxes will have cleaned themnicely for you. "

And so things were arranged. 

An hour later and the three lads headed for camp again. Each one totedhis share of the burden. But long before the cabin was reached Stevebegan to feel sorry that he had determined to display the wildcat to theothers in order to prove his story, and also let Trapper Jim see whetherthe victim of his double shot was the same despised and hated bobcat thathad given him so very much trouble in the preceding year. 

Nevertheless Steve was a most determined boy. And having started in toaccomplish anything he could hardly be influenced to give it up justbecause his back ached and his lame shoulder protested. 

Max insisted on changing loads with him when they were halfway home. 

"I can carry it better than you with your sore shoulder, Steve, " he said, when the other started to protest; "besides, I've made this bundle ofvenison so it can be tied on your back. You'll find it a relief. Don'tsay another word, for you've just _got_ to do it. All very good to showhow plucky and game you are, old fellow, but if you should get knockedout by too much exertion, why, don't you see, it'll break up the wholeshooting match for the rest of us?"

Max put it that way for a purpose. He knew Steve's generous nature, andthat the other could be prevailed upon to do a thing for the sake of hischums, when he would not budge so far as any personal benefit wasconcerned. 

"Oh, well, if that's so, perhaps I'd better throw the old thing away, "Steve declared. 

"No, " said Max, "that would be foolish, after you've carried it two milesnow. Besides, I feel sure Uncle Jim'd like to see the cat. If he knowshis old tricky enemy has really and truly kicked the bucket, he'll resteasier this year. One thief like this can give a trapper heaps oftrouble. He learns to look for his dinners in the traps. "

"All right, then, Max; but it's awful good of you to change over, "declared Steve. "Why, this load ain't a circumstance beside mine. I'msorry for you, though, and if--"

"Let up on that sort of talk, please, Steve. If I find it too much I'llown up. Then Toby here can take his turn. "

"S-s-sure thing, " assented the party mentioned, smiling good-naturedly. 

But, after all, Max carried the trophy of Steve's shots close to thecamp. Then, thinking the other might like to be seen coming in with hisown game, he made him change again, though Steve winced as he worked hislame shoulder. 

The others had returned, and were all busily engaged with the trophies ofthe traps. 

Trapper Jim, upon finding that Owen and Bandy-legs manifested a certainamount of interest in all he did, took great pleasure in showing themjust how the skins must be removed from the animals and fastened securelyto the stretching boards, so they would not shrivel up when drying. 

He managed to impart considerable interesting information while working, and Owen, determined not to get all these facts twisted, was seen to bescribbling something down every little while. 

When they saw what constituted Steve's load, and heard from Max and Tobythe true story of how the savage animal was shot while making aleap toward the young Nimrod, admiring looks were cast on Steve. 

"Gewhittaker, but ain't he a savage-looking old monster, though!"declared Bandy-legs, examining the dead cat; "a whole lot bigger'n thatone we got in the Great Dismal Swamp, fellows, let me tell you right now. Look at the teeth and the needle-pointed claws, would you! I'm glad Ididn't have to face this critter. "

"And Bandy-legs, " Steve could not help saying, "this sweet little catdidn't have its hind leg caught in a trap, either. It was free as air, and if my lucky shot hadn't gone just where it did, I guess I'd be inrags right now. "

"Well, " said the other, in no wise hurt by what Steve said, I neverclaimed to be a hunter like you, Steve and you know it. I guess shootinga trapped bear is about my limit. But I know _you_ wouldn't run away fromthe biggest old pig-stealer that ever came down the pike. "

"Thank you, Bandy-legs, " said Steve, "and really and truly I don'tbelieve I would, not if I had my trusty gun along. "

The afternoon was wearing away, and all of them believed that they hadbeen through quite enough excitement for one day. Besides, they hadcovered a good many miles since morning and felt rather like resting. 

Trapper Jim was getting some of the bear meat in readiness for cooking. He knew it would be anything but tender, but long experience had taughthim how to pound it with a little contrivance he had, thus opening thetissues and allowing the juices to escape. In this way a tough beefsteakcan be made more palatable if one cares to go to the trouble. Sometimeshe parboiled meat and then fried it. 

As the sun went down Max stood outside the cabin, looking around at thepicture. The air was fresh and invigorating and he drew in a big breath, as, turning to Owen who had just come out to join him, he remarked:

"Talk to me about the good times we've had before; I tell you nothingever happened to this lucky bunch that was halfway equal to this!"

CHAPTER XIII. 

A GLIMPSE OF THE SILVER FOX. 

There was no audacious bobcat around to worry them that night. Steve hadindeed, as Owen said, "laid the jabberwock low, " when he discharged bothbarrels of his shotgun at once. 

They were all under obligations to Steve. Every time that lame shoulderof his gave him a more severe twinge than usual he could, figurativelyspeaking, of course, shake hands with himself. 

It is a great thing to be a public benefactor. There was Bandy-legs, forinstance, who, much to his own inconvenience, had shown Trapper Jim andthe rest just how easy it would be for some animal to drop down thewide-throated chimney during the absence of the cabin's owner and playhavoc within. 

The panic excited by the squatter skunk had been another lesson. And inconsequence Trapper Jim, aided and abetted by Bandy-legs, who was apretty clever hand at making things, had arranged a contrivance thatworked much after the manner of a grating over the top of the chimney. 

This, while allowing the smoke to escape freely, put up the bars againstthe admission of any would-be intruder, even a squirrel. 

It would do temporarily. Trapper Jim said that later on when he borrowedthat big buckboard again and transported his lively guests to the townand the distant railroad, he had it in his mind to secure a sheet of thatheavy close-woven wire netting, such as was used in stable windows andfor many other purposes. It allowed a free circulation of air, and yetprevented the entrance of sneak thieves. 

So on this night Bandy-legs could go to sleep in peace on the floor, hehaving given up the bunk to the next one on the list. 

If he woke up in the night and raised his head to find the fire burninglow, he need not imagine every grotesque shadow in the dimly lightedcabin to be a fierce animal that had crept in while they slept. 

When day came again they laid out their programme as usual. Of course, Uncle Jim, having started his season's work, could not neglect histraps. Every day when the weather allowed he must trudge the rounds andsee what Fortune had sent him. 

Besides, a humane trapper wishes to end as quickly as possible thetorture of any creature that has been caught by the leg in one of hissteel contraptions. 

"It's a cruel enough business at the best, " Jim Ruggles told the boys ashe sat and spoke of his past experiences, "and often I've been sorry Iever took it up. But there must be trappers as long as women will demandrich furs in the winter season. My only satisfaction is that I've beenkinder toward the little animals of the woods than most brutal trapperswould be. "

"But, however did you come to take up such a queer profession in thebeginning, Uncle Jim?" asked Owen that morning, as they got to talkingabout the many years the old man had spent in this way. 

Owen had discovered, before now that that Jim Ruggles was really a man ofeducation, having been a college graduate. 

He smiled at the question, did the old trapper. 

"Oh, there were a lot of things combined to send me to the woods, " hesaid, musingly. "First of all was my intense love for all the BigOutdoors. Seemed like I could never get enough of it. The more I saw ofthe forest, the more I felt drawn to it. I guess I had the woods hungerfrom boyhood. Max, here, knows what it is. "

"I think I do, " remarked the one mentioned. "I feel the craving come overme at times and have hard work to resist. "

"Well, take my advice, son, and fight it off, " remarked Trapper Jim. "Anyhow keep it in subjection. The world needs you. There's plenty ofwork for such as you in the busy marts of men. Don't allow yourself toever dream of spending your whole life lost in the wilderness like I'vedone. What can I look back to but a life that's been wasted, so far asbeing useful to my fellowmen is concerned? A little run to the woods nowand then to renew your vigor and draw in new strength--let that be all. "

"But you said there were other reasons why you came here, Uncle Jim, "persisted Owen. 

At that the old man actually laughed. 

"I suppose while I am at it, " he said, "I might as well make a cleansweep and confess all. Well, I was a foolish young man at the time, yousee, and took it to heart because a certain young lady I thought heaps ofwouldn't accept me. But, then, my health was nothing to boast of in thosedays, and doctors had said it would be a good thing if I could spend ayear up here. "

"And you did?" continued Owen. 

"Been here ever since, " replied the trapper. 

"And you don't look weakly now, Uncle Jim. "

"I should say not, " laughed the other, as he stretched his muscular armsabove his head. "The open air, free from all disease germs, such asabound in cities; the long tramps; the freedom from worries; and, aboveall, the plain food and regular hours built me up wonderfully. Perhaps, after all, I did the right thing, because I'd have been dead long agoif I remained among the city dwellers. "

"And, how about the heartless girl--did you ever see her again, UncleJim?" asked Owen, with a boy's freedom of speech. 

Again the trapper laughed and then sighed. 

"I never saw her again, son, " he replied. "Years later I heard shemarried but I couldn't tell you whether his name was Smith or Brown. Thencame the news that Susie had died, leaving one child. Sometimes I'mseized with a sort of yearning to look that boy up, and perhaps dosomething for him, just because I cared for his mother. But I neverhave, because before I get started it begins to look foolish to me. "

The old man had a tear in his eye. And both Owen and Max felt drawn tohim more than ever. 

"Thank you ever so much, Uncle Jim, for telling us all this, " Owen said, in a soft tone that caused the trapper to look fondly at him as he wenton:

"Well, I've spoken to you boys about things that Have been lying deepdown in my old heart buried for many a year. But just forget it. Andlet's see what Luck has got in store for us to-day. I'm going to get outa couple of my special fox traps. "

Something about the way he said this as well as the eager flash that shotathwart his rugged face caused Max to cry out:

"Fox traps! You've got some reason for saying that, Uncle Jim. "

"Maybe I have, son, " remarked the trapper, smiling more broadly at thisevidence of astuteness on the part of the boy. 

"Is it the silver fox?" demanded Max. 

"Well, I thought I had just a glimpse of the little darling yesterdaywhen out with the boys, " observed Trapper Jim. 

"But you didn't mention it before now--I didn't hear any of them say aword about it, " Max went on. 

"That's right. I thought I'd keep it quiet. But what's the use when suchsharp eyes keep tabs on every move I make. Besides, you two might like towatch how I set a trap to catch a fox. Because they're about as smart asany animal that walks on four legs. "

Soon afterward the boys started out with the trapper. Steve, feeling hislame shoulder, concluded to rest up for a day, while Bandy-legs confessedthat he much preferred doing a number of things about the cabin, perhapscatching a few pickerel in the little pond not far away, as Trapper Jimkept a supply of live minnows on hand to be used as bait when fishingwith "tip-ups" through the ice later on. 

So Max, Owen, and Toby saw how the two traps were set for the black fox, whose pelt is the one known as silver fox, and by long odds the mostprized of all furs, sometimes one fine skin fetching thousands ofdollars. 

They found another mink caught, besides a number of muskrats. And in thelast trap was a beautiful silky otter. Trapper Jim seemed highly pleasedwhen he looked at his various prizes for the day. 

"Seems like you boys must have brought me good luck, " he declared. 

"I hope we have, " laughed Owen. 

"I never hit such a nice mess before so early in the season, " continuedthe trapper, "and it wouldn't surprise me a great deal now if I caughtthat splendid silver first shot out of the box. "

"S-s-say, wouldn't that j-j-just be g-g-great, " said Toby. 

"Well, the traps are set and it's been pretty nigh a morning's work, because there's so much to do about trapping a smart fox. But, boys, let's hope that to-morrow or some other day it'll all be paid back, andI'll be able to show you what a beautiful skin the black fox sports. "

"But you've taken them before, you said, Uncle Jim, " Owen observed. 

"Sure, two or three times, and pretty good ones at that, " replied thetrapper, with a chuckle. "But you know, it's always the same old story inthis business. "

"What's that?" asked Max. 

"The skins you've captured in the past never compare with those you seeon the backs of live animals. The best is always to come, eh, Max?"

"J-j-just like it is in f-f-fishing, " declared Toby. "The big one inthe w-w-water b-b-beats the one you've l-l-landed. I used to think thew-w-water just m-m-magnified 'em. "

"No, it's the hope we have. Possession dulls the interest. You boys knowthat the apples next door always taste better than those you have in yourown orchard. "

The three whom Trapper Jim addressed just looked at each other andlaughed. Nobody answered him. There was really no need of words. Jim knewboys from the ground up, and loved them, too. He had once been a boyhimself. 

On the way back home he told them many interesting things connected withthe shrewdness of mink and otter, and how smart the trapper had to be tooutwit them. 

"That's one of the pleasures of the business, " he went on to say; "thiscontinual matching of a man's wits against the instinct and cunning ofthese same clever little varmints. Why, a single old mink has kept meguessing pretty much all winter and changing my methods a dozen times. "

"But I reckon you got him in the end, Uncle Jim, " said Max. 

"What makes you believe that, son?"

"Oh, because you never give up once you've set your mind on a thing, "replied the boy, admiringly. 

"Well, I don't knuckle down _very_ often, that's a fact, " chuckled thetrapper; "though there have been occasions. That girl episode was one, you remember, Max. "

"But you got the sly old mink, didn't you?" persisted Owen. 

"Yes, I got him when I had just about exhausted every scheme I couldthink up, " answered the trapper; "and let me tell you, boys, that daywhen I carried him to the cabin I felt as big as the President of theUnited States. "

Another night of comfort followed. Trapper Jim said it began to feel reallonely, now that the bold bobcat no longer came prowling around trying tosteal things. 

But the boys enjoyed having a good rest undisturbed by any sudden clamor. 

This time only Max and Steve accompanied the trapper. Owen found that hehad wrenched his ankle, and had better take a day off, and Toby hadarranged to try the pickerel with Bandy-legs, who had caught a few on theprevious day. 

Steve had heard about the traps set for the "silver, " and he wanted to bealong if there was anything doing. 

When they arrived near the first trap it was untouched. But the secondthey found sprung and empty. 

"Oh, he was caught and broke away. It's too bad!" cried Steve, pointingto traces of blood and some shining black hairs on the jaws of the Victortrap. 

But Trapper Jim was saying angry words to himself. 

"Caught the finest silver I ever set eyes on only to have him snatched bya sneak of a pelt thief!" and he pointed as he spoke to the imprint of ashoe in the soil. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

THE PURSUIT. 

"Stolen!" burst out impulsive Steve, his face pale with rage. 

Both boys felt keenly for their friend, Trapper Jim. He had lookedforward so long to capturing his rare prize; he had taken such greatpains to set his traps with that object in view; and now, after successhad come, and the black beauty was caught, it must be terriblyaggravating to discover that some one had happened on the spot, robbedthe trap, and was far away with the precious pelt. 

Trapper Jim did not often give way to his feelings. He quickly got afresh grip on his emotions and could talk calmly again. But there was agleam in those piercing eyes of his, undimmed by age, that made Owen gladhe did not stand in the shoes of the pelt thief. 

"When do you think he was here, Uncle Jim?" Max asked, as he examined theplain track of the thief's shoe. 

"This morning, and not more than an hour ago, " came the answer. "He washeading as straight as could be for our cabin, like he meant to drop inon me; but after this he turned back. The temptation was too much. Fewmen could let a chance pass by to pick up a silver fox when a common redwouldn't bother 'em the least bit. "

"But, say, I hope you don't mean to let him get away with the skinaltogether, Uncle Jim, " flashed Steve, with an angry look still on hisface. 

"Well, that wouldn't be like me, " returned the trapper, quietly; and Maxrealized that his was the determined, bulldog nature that never lets go, while with Steve it was a flash-in-the-pan, hasty action, without acareful laying out of plans. 

"Then we'll pick up the trail and follow it?" asked the eager boy. 

"As soon as we can have Ajax here, son. "

"But why wait for the dog?" complained Steve. "It'll take all of an hourto get back here again. "

"That and more, " replied Trapper Jim. 

"And that time will be wasted, " Steve went on. 

"Listen, " remarked the trapper. "Long ago I learned that things like thisare done best when you go about them soberly. Once I start on this trailof the pelt thief, and I mean to keep on it if it takes me a hundredmiles! What does an hour count for in that case, Steve?"

"Mighty little, I guess, " admitted the boy. 

"There are other reasons for getting the dog, " continued the trapper. "This rascal will expect pursuit. And so every little while he'll dothings to cover up his trail. P'r'aps he'll wade along a stream, and comeout by way of rocks that would leave no mark. Then, again, he'd run alonga log and jump from stone to stone. All these things would delay me. Whattook ten minutes of _his_ time would consume an hour of mine. It's mucheasier to set a problem than to solve one. "

"Sure thing. I understand now why you want the dog, " Steve confessed. 

"Ajax has a good scent. His nose is very keen. Here's a rag the thiefmust have dropped. Once I let the dog smell of this, and he'll followthat trail hour after hour, so long as it don't get too cold. "

"Shall I go and get Ajax! I would run all the way, " Steve suggested. 

"Well, with that lame shoulder of yours, son, you'd have a hard time ofit holding a running dog in leash. So we'll have to get Max here toattend to that part of the business. Think you could return without anytrouble, my boy?"

"Well, " replied the other, with a laugh, "all I'll have to do will be tolet Ajax have his head. He'll keep to our trail, all right. "

"Just what I expected you to say, " remarked the trapper. "And now be offwith you. We'll be nosing around here. Leave your gun with me, as you'llneed both hands to manage the dog. "

"And what message will I carry to the other boys?" asked Max. 

"Explain things in a few words, and tell Owen to take charge until weshow up again. It may be to-night, and again it might not come aboutuntil to-morrow. But they've got a-plenty to eat, and that satisfiesboys. "

And so Max hastened off. Although not as impetuous by nature as Steve, heknew that every minute gained now would shorten the lead whichthe audacious pelt thief had upon them. And so Max sprinted more or lesswhenever he had the chance. 

It was not over an hour when he once more made his appearance, with theexcited Ajax towing him. And evidently Max had had no easy job of it, trying to hold the eager hound in, for he looked relieved and rubbed hismuscles after Trapper Jim took the leash. 

The boys were deeply interested in all that followed. They saw thetrapper hold the soiled rag upon which the thief had perhaps wiped hishands for the hound to sniff at for a minute or two. 

Then Trapper Jim led Ajax to the footprints and made him catch the sameparticular odor, When the intelligent hound gave a bay and led the way along the trail ofthe thief, his nose close to the ground and his tail in perpetual motion, Trapper Jim looked pleased. 

"He's got the scent, all right, lads, " he observed, "and after this he'llnever forget it. There are few hunting dogs that can be taught to followa human being as well as they do animals; but Ajax is an exception. "

"Now we're off!" exclaimed the restless Steve, exultantly. 

"Yes, and the rascal will have to hump himself if he hopes to escape us. I haven't given up all hopes of reclaiming that silver fox pelt yet, " andthe trapper really seemed in a better humor than he had enjoyed since thefirst discovery of his great loss. 

For quite some time they hurried on. Ajax was straining at his leash mostof the while, and seemed capable of picking up the scent even when therewas not the faintest trace of marks that Max could discover. 

"It was a mighty good thing we thought of the dog, " Steve admitted, andthen, seeing the trapper looking humorously at him, he gave a shortlaugh, as lie hastily added: "I mean it was a wise head that concluded tosend for Ajax, and not start off half-shot, like some foolish fellowswould have done. "

"Yes, " added Max, "in several places I've lost the trail. And three timesnow the fellow's run along a fallen tree, jumping off where he saw hardground or stones. That would have given us trouble and delayed us, butAjax followed the scent without looking for a trail. 

"Here's a creek, " interrupted the trapper, "and chances are the thiefwill use it to try and hoodwink us. "

They waded through, regardless of the icy cold, for the water was not upto their knees. 

"Don't see any tracks on this side, Uncle Jim, " sang out Steve. 

"No, and I guessed we wouldn't, " replied the other. 

"But he crossed over, didn't he!" demanded the boy. 

"Chances are he did, " answered Trapper Jim, "but before stepping out hewent either up or down the creek a ways. First of all we'll try up. Ifthat fails us after we've gone some distance, we'll come back here andtry the other way. "

But it chanced that his first guess was the right one. They had gonealong the bank of the creek less than eighty feet when Ajax uttered asound and gave evidence of renewed excitement. 

"The rascal found the water too cold and came out at the first chance, "remarked Trapper Jim. "You see, there's a shelf of rock here. No signleft for our eyes, because the warm sun has dried up any wet marks hemade. But Ajax has caught the same scent as there was on that rag. "

"And we're off again. Hurrah!" cried Steve, delighted to know that theclever tactics of the pelt thief could not prevail against that keensense of smell possessed by the hound. 

After that the fugitive did not seem to think it worth while to make anymore efforts to conceal his trail. 

"That cold water was too much for him, " suggested Steve. 

"Or else he expects he's done enough, and that no one, not even TrapperJim, could follow him, " Max had said; "but I rather think he knew a dogwould be put on his track. That water business is always the trick usedto throw a hound off the scent. "

"Quite right, son, " remarked the trapper; "but I allow this fellow hasgot me guessing good and hard, and that's a fact. "

"You mean because he's quit trying to hide his trail?" asked Steve. 

"Well, partly that, but there's another thing, " Trapper Jim went on tosay. 

"I think I'm on to it, " observed Max. 

"Well, I saw you look some surprised at the time, son, " declared thetrapper. "But Steve, here, saw nothing. Did you notice, Steve, which waywe headed at the time we first picked up the trail at the sprung trap?"

"Why, yes, it was almost due south, wasn't it?" asked Steve. 

"Right, son, and look at the sun now, " the trapper remarked. 

"Gee, that's queer!" muttered the surprised Steve. 

"What is?" asked Max, smiling. 

"The sun--why, it's swung around on the right. Say, don't tell me time'spassed like that, and it's afternoon now. Why, we haven't felt hungryenough to tackle that bully lunch Max fetched along when he came backwith the dog. "

Both of the others laughed at this. 

"That's one on you, Steve, " said Max. "See, my watch says justten-thirty. The sun didn't swing around at all, but the trail did. "

"It's heading north now, is it?" demanded Steve. 

"Straight as can be, " replied Trapper Jim. 

"But the cabin lies that way!" objected the puzzled boy. 

"Just what it does, " admitted Jim. "When the thief sat down to rest backthere he must have been thinking it over. And he made up his mind to dosomething on the spot, for when he started again he cut out a new coursedirect. "

"Whew, the nerve of him!" exclaimed Steve. 

"What makes you say that, Steve?"

"Why, don't you see, he's got the fever bad. Thinks p'r'aps Uncle Jimhere might have another silver fox pelt laid away, and while he's aboutit he reckons he'd better double up. "

But Trapper Jim shook his head. He knew no pelt thief would ever displaysuch boldness as Steve suggested. There must be another reason for thesudden change of plans on the part of the fugitive. 

"Have we gained on him?" asked Max, presently. 

"Considerable, " replied the trapper. 

"How d'ye know that?" demanded Steve, "There are plenty of signs to tell me, " came the answer. "Anyone used tofollowing a trail would have seen them. And I reckon, now, Max hasn'tbeen blind all this while. "

"No, " replied the one spoken of. "I saw water still oozing into a deeptrack when we passed that boggy ground, and right then and there Iconcluded we must be less than half an hour behind the thief. "

"Good!" ejaculated the trapper; "anything else. Max?"

"Why, yes, " returned the boy, calmly. "There was a little twig thatrighted itself even as I looked at it. His foot had bent it down. Now, Ishouldn't think it could have stayed that way more'n half an hour atbest. "

"I saw it, too, " added the trapper; "and it pleases me more than I cansay to find that you keep your eyes about you, son. It ought to be alesson to Steve here. Queer, how one person can see so much and anothernothing. "

"Well, " ventured Steve, "I have noticed one thing, anyhow. "

"Glad to hear it, son. Tell us what it is, now. "

"The dog, " remarked Steve. 

"Yes, what of Ajax?" questioned Jim. 

"He acts different now. "

"And from that you conclude what?" queried the trapper. 

"Why, we're closing in on our game, " Steve went on. "I've hunted enoughto know how dogs show that. "

"Fine! We'll give you credit for that point, Steve, because it's a fact, "laughed the trapper, in a half-hushed way. 

"Aw! I ain't quite such a silly as I look, " remarked Steve. 

"I should think not, " said Max, and Steve hardly knew whether to take theobservation as a compliment or the reverse. 

"And, now, lads, we'd better stop talking, " said Trapper Jim. "I reckonwe're close enough on our man for him to hear us if we're noisy. And, perhaps, if he learned we'd nigh overtaken him, he might start off on therun. "

So for some time they kept on in abject silence. Not a word was spoken, and save for the panting of the eager hound and the labored breathing ofthe trackers, all was still. 

The country had become quite rough, and Max knew they must be passingover the hills he had seen from the cabin, lying to the south. They hadhad to climb them when on the way from the distant town, and Max evenhoped some day to circulate among them with his rifle. But he had hardlyexpected that when he did, it would be while on the track of a humanbeing. 

"He slipped here--you can see the marks his shoes made in the shale, "said Trapper Jim, pointing to the ground in front, which sloped downwardrapidly. 

"Oh, my land!" ejaculated Steve, "look where the marks lead, right to thebrink of that precipice or the bank of a deep ravine. Honest, now, Ibelieve the feller must 'a' gone over there. "

"Just what he did, " added Trapper Jim, solemnly; "and it'd make an uglyfall for a body, too. "

They crept to the edge and looked down. The bottom of the ravine was manyyards below, and there were cruel rocks, partly hidden by densevegetation, now brown from the touch of Jack Frost's fingers. 

"Listen, that sounded like a groan!" exclaimed the awe-struck Steve. 

"I think I can see something among the weeds, " remarked Max; and hardlyhad he spoken than a hand was raised to wave toward them and a voice fullof pain called out:

"Help! Oh, help!"

Led by Trapper Jim the boys made their way down the steep rocky bank ofthe ravine. The first object they saw was the pelt of the silver fox, forthe thief had removed it during his various stops so as to lighten hisload. Then they came upon the doubled-up figure of a comparatively youngman, at sight of whom Trapper Jim frowned and seemed strangely moved. 

CHAPTER XV. 

GLORIOUS NEWS. 

"So you're the pelt thief, Ed Whitcomb, are you?" said Trapper Jim, gloomily, as he leaned on his rifle and looked down on the young fellow, at whom Ajax was sniffing as though he recognized an old friend. 

Max caught the name. He recognized it, too. Trapper Jim had told them howhe had brought a young fellow up from the railroad town two seasonsbefore for company. His name had been Ed Whitcomb, too. They had seemedto get on for a time splendidly, but finally split on the subject ofdrinking, for Trapper Jim was very set against using liquor in any shape, and would not allow a drop of it in his cabin. 

"Yes, I'm the thief, Uncle Jim, " said the man, trying to suppress agroan. "The temptation when I happened on that silver was too much. Iobeyed a sudden impulse and sole it. Reckon, just as you used to say, toomuch drink had warped my judgment, because there was a time when I'dsooner have cut my hand off than steal. "

"But you got sorry for it, I reckon, " said the trapper, a little moresoftly. 

"Yes, something rose up in me and rebelled, " replied Ed. "Perhaps it wasthe memory of the mother I had as a boy. Yes, it must have been onlythat. I reckoned she could see what I done and it'd make her feel bad. "

"You turned back?" Trapper Jim continued. 

"I turned back, sure I did, " the wounded man went on, eagerly. "I wasgoing to find you and tell you what a fool thing I'd done, tempted by thedevil, and how sorry I was. Then I slipped and went over the rocks upthere. But I deserve all I've got, Uncle Jim. I was a scoundrel; andafter all your kindness two years back, too. "

"But what were you coming up here for?" asked the trapper. 

"Why, Mosher, the grocery man, said some letters had come in his care foryou and these youngsters that were at your place. He told me you'darranged to have a half-breed bring up any mail that arrived, but thatthe carrier was down on his back with malarial fever. So I said I didn'tmind running up. Was so late starting I had to spend the night in thewoods. And then this morning that temptation got me. "

"But you repented--you meant to do the right thing, Ed. Oh, I'm glad youturned around and faced the other way before this thing happened. "

"So am I, " groaned Ed, "but I'm afraid my leg's broken, and I'm soreinside like I'd fractured some of my ribs. What's going to come of me Idon't know. And perhaps I don't care much either, though you'll be gladto know, Uncle Jim, that me and strong drink have parted company forever. Ain't tasted a drop these three months; but it shows what it did for mewhen I could stoop low enough to _steal_, and from one of the bestfriends I ever had. "

"That'll do for you, Ed, " said the trapper, dropping on his knees besidethe wounded man; "we're all weak and liable to give in to temptation. Thefact that you repented is enough for me! We're going to carry you homewith us. "

"Home--to your cabin, after I was so mean as to steal--"

"Don't ever mention that to me again, " ordered the trapper, sternly;"forget it just as though it had never been. Yes, your leg is broken, Ed, the left one, and quite a bad fracture, too. But I know how to fix youup, and in three weeks you'll be hopping around on a crutch. "

Ed fairly devoured him with his eyes. 

"They broke the model after they made you, Jim Ruggles, " he muttered, ashe put his hand to his side, indicating great pain there. 

"Now let's see what's wrong about your ribs, lad, " said the trapper, ashe started to undo the other's coat, and then his heavy blue woolenshirt. 

"I reckon you have got a rib cracked, " he said, after a carefulexamination; "but nothing serious. Hurt for a while when you take a longbreath, but it'll knit together again. And now--"

Trapper Jim stopped short in the middle of a sentence. He was staringhard at something he had seen all of a sudden. 

"Where'd you get this, Ed Whitcomb?" he demanded, in a thick voice. 

As he spoke he caught hold of a locket which hung about the neck of theother by a little gold chain. It had been burst open possibly by thefall, and as Trapper Jim started to draw the shirt of the wounded mantogether again he had disturbed this keepsake, which, turning about, disclosed the face of a pretty young woman. 

"Why, she gave it to me, " replied the other, weakly; "I've worn it thatway ever since she died; and you're the first, right now, that's everlooked on it, Jim. "

The trapper's eyes filled up. 

"What was she to you, Ed Whitcomb?" he asked, gulping hard. 

"My mother, of course, " came the answer. 

Trapper Jim simply turned the face on the locket so that Max could seeit, and then he said in almost a whisper:

"Susie Benedict!"

Max understood. This, then, was the girl for love of whom Jim Ruggles hadpartly given up his ambition of ever being anything worth while when hefled to the wilderness. 

How wonderful things do happen at times Max thought. 

Why, only a few hours before Jim had been confessing to Owen and himselfhow sometimes he felt as though he would like to hunt up Susie's boy anddo something for him, as he was possessed of ample means. 

And here a strange freak of fate had brought them together in thisremarkable way. Why, they had even spent a winter in company withoutTrapper Jim ever suspecting the truth. 

But it was all right now. 

And Max privately confided to Steve, who demanded to know who SusieBenedict was at the first opportunity, that Old Jim would spend no morewinters up there alone with his two dogs. 

"They'll make a team of it, and be as happy as two clams, " he declared;while Steve was very much tickled at the way things had turned out. 

So, under the directions of the trapper, who was setting the broken legwithout delay, the two boys fashioned a rude but effective litter uponwhich the wounded young man could be comfortably carried. 

The boys took turns with Trapper Jim in carrying the litter. Nothingseemed to weary the old trapper. He trudged on over hill and through thewoods, as though his frame might be made of steel. 

But every time a halt was made he would come around to see if his roughbandages still held, and the hand that touched Ed Whitcomb was as tenderas that of a woman, while his voice was filled with solicitude when heasked how the other felt. 

And Ed Whitcomb understood it all now. He marveled to think that thisman, whom he had known so long, and who had really been the means ofcausing him to reform before it was too late, had once loved his mother!

Darkness came on. 

They were still some distance from the cabin, and both boys looked tired, though unwilling to confess to the fact. 

"We're going through with it, that's what!" said Steve, with a snap ofhis jaws, when the wounded man suggested that they ought to rest. 

And they did. 

Trapper Jim showed them how to make some torches that would give a prettygood light. And the one who did not assist with the stretcher went aheadto show the way. 

And along about nine o'clock the barking of the dogs brought the threeboys in the cabin to the door. 

Great was their surprise when they learned what had happened. Ed Whitcombwas made comfortable in the lower bunk, and the boys at once agreed thetrapper was to occupy the other. The floor and those soft furs wouldfurnish them with good enough beds. 

Of course the three who had been at home were wild to hear all about it. And Max thought it best to get them outdoors where he could relate thewhole story, even to the fact of Jim Ruggles having once been head overears in love with pretty Susie before she turned him down. 

They thought it was the greatest thing that had ever come under theirobservation. And all agreed that since Ed Whitcomb had repented aftertaking the precious pelt, and was on the way back with it, he must be all right. 

They meant to treat him as a man and a brother because it was evidentthat Uncle Jim was bound sooner or later to adopt the other as his sonand heir. 

And that pelt _was_ a beauty, too; though none of the boys could realizethat, according to what Trapper Jim said, it might be worth all offifteen hundred dollars. 

Another day came around. 

Of course the trapper, having neglected his catch on account of the theftof the silver fox pelt, had to start off unusually early. 

This time Owen accompanied him, his ankle having improved. 

Toby, encouraged by the catch of fish which he and Bandy-legs had made onthe preceding day, started out again, determined to make a record. 

The other three remained in and around the cabin, bringing up firewood, looking after the skins that had been placed in the air, where the suncould not get at them, and doing such chores as would fall to the lot ofTrapper Jim were he alone. 

The letter which reached them had been from Mr. Hastings, telling them hehad seen Steve's folks, as well as Mr. Griffin and Toby's guardian; andthat since they had gone so far, and the school would not be ready untillate in November, they might stay another week longer than they hadcontemplated, if they cared to do so. 

And by a unanimous vote the five boys had immediately decided that they_did_ care, so they enjoyed the prospect of more happy days ahead. 

It was almost noon when Toby was seen running frantically toward thecabin and minus his cap. Every few steps he would cast a look of fearover his shoulder. 

"What ails you?" shouted Steve, and Toby, though he could hardly speak, managed to blurt out:

"B-b-bear--eatin' up all m-m-my f-f-fish. M-m-meant to t-t-tackle men-n-next!"

CHAPTER XVI. 

SURPRISING BRUIN--_Conclusion_. 

"WHOOP!" shouted Steve, as he made a headlong plunge in the direction ofthe cabin door, closely followed by the other two. 

Of course all of them were after their guns, and it hardly seemed fiveseconds to Toby, panting without, ere his companions were tumblingpellmell through the cabin door again, each clutching his favoriteweapon. 

"Lead us to him, Toby!" commanded Steve, arrogantly. 

"Yes, show us the big hulking beast that devoured your fish, Toby, " saidBandy-legs, "we'll fix it up with him. I'm no slouch of a bear killermyself. "

"Aw, rats!" scoffed Steve. "This ain't one of your docile trapped bearkind, Bandy-legs. This one can run like all get-out. If he ever startsafter you, it's dollars to doughnuts you'd never get away on them shortpins of yours. "

"Can bears climb trees?" asked Bandy-legs, nervously. 

"Well, I should say yes, black bears especially. They live half the timeup in trees, " replied Steve, who was pushing on just behind Toby himself. 

Whereupon Bandy-legs discreetly allowed Max to pass him also. SinceNature had placed a serious handicap on him when dealing out those shortlegs, it seemed only right that he should be allowed a little extradistance. Then, in case the hungry fish-eating bear did see fit to chargethem, all of the boys would be placed upon something like an equalfooting. 

Toby was furious by now. 

He might have been simply frightened at the time he made his appearancebefore the cabin, but that feeling was rapidly giving way to anger. Andbursting almost with indignation, he had to try and express himself tohis comrades, despite the impediment in his speech, which was alwaysworse when Toby grew excited. 

"B-b-been all the b-b-blessed m-m-mornin' a-c-c-coaxin' them p-p-pickerelto t-t-take hold, and h-h-here that b-b-bloomin' old c-c-crocodile of ab-b-bear had to s-s-swallow h-h-half of 'em in one b-b-big b-b-bite!"

Max chuckled as he listened. He even found time to wonder whether Toby, if pressed, knew what sort of animal he meant by a "crocodile of a bear. "But then a good deal of allowance must be made for a stuttering boy, andespecially when he has a grievance as big as the one Toby shouldered. 

"There's the pond ahead, " cried Steve; "now show us your old bear. "

"Come this way, " said Toby. "I g-g-guess he's eat up all my s-s-string;and now he's hunting f-f-f or the can of b-b-bait. "

He led them into a thick part of the wood. 

"L-l-look!" whispered Toby, pointing. 

"It is a bear, as sure as you live!" exclaimed Max. 

"C-c-course it is, " Toby went on; "w-w-what'd you think m-m-made me run?G-g-guess I know a s-s-stump when I see one. "

Max held the impetuous Steve back. 

"Wait, " he said, "and let's all fire together. This bear isn't held by atrap, and if you only wound him there'd be a pretty kettle of fish. "

"Ain't no f-f-fish left; he's d-d-devoured even my b-b-bait, the oldglutton!" bellowed Toby, shaking his fist toward the bear. 

Bruin evidently had enjoyed his unexpected meal immensely. Likely enoughhe had never before in all his life been offered a fish dinner gratis. Perhaps some of these other two-legged creatures that drew near, holdingthe funny sticks in their hands, might offer him another nice mess ofpickerel fresh caught. 

So the bear stood there on the edge of the pond watching them approach, as though not a particle afraid, only curious--and still fish hungry. 

"See him licking his lips, would you!" cried Bandy-legs, still in therear. 

"L-l-liked 'em so m-m-much, he w-w-wants m-m-more, hang him!"

"We'll give him some cold lead instead, " declared Steve, holding hisdouble-barrel ready so he could shoot from the left shoulder; "see ifhe'll be able to digest it. "

"He'll die just now, anyhow, if all of us nail him, " remarked Max, laughing at the way the bear stood there watching them spread out like afan. 

"Aren't we close enough. Max?" asked Bandy-legs, who was nearly twice asfar away as the two bolder spirits, "Yes, " piped up Steve, "let's get to work. You count three, Max; andremember, Bandy-legs, don't you dare shoot till you hear him say 'three'plain as dirt. "

"But, Steve, " said Max. 

"What d'ye want?" grumbled the other, trembling with eagerness to beginoperations. 

"I hope you've only got one hammer raised, " continued Max. "It'd bepretty tough if you fired both barrels again, and lamed your leftshoulder, too. "

"Cracky! I guess you're right, Max. Wait a few seconds till I set onehammer down. I ain't going to take the chances. Shooting left-handed'sbad enough, but what'd I do if I lamed that arm, too!"

"Try it w-w-with your l-l-legs!" observed Toby. 

"All ready!" called out Max. 

"Q-q-quick! He's m-m-moving off!" shouted Toby. 

"All the better, " said Max, coolly. "We can get a good aim at his sidenow; just back of the shoulder, remember, Bandy-legs!"

"C-c-count!" begged Toby, who hated to think of the bold fish robbergetting off scot-free after his recent raid. 

The bear was ambling off. Perhaps he had come to the wise conclusion thattoo much fish at one time was bad for a bear's digestion. And then, again, he did not altogether like the looks of all these queer two-leggedcreatures with those crooked black sticks which they kept poking out athim. 

He would not run away, because, of course, he was not really afraid; buteven a bear might be allowed to conduct a masterly retreat. 

"One!" called out Max. 

The three guns were leveled. 

"Two!"

Then cheeks pressed the stocks and eyes glanced along the tubes, whileitching fingers began to play with waiting triggers. 

"Three!"

It was almost the roar of a cannon that followed. Three guns had spokenalmost in the same breath. 

"H-h-he's g-g-gone!" yelped Toby, who could see better than any of theothers, because no little puff of white powder smoke obscured his vision. 

A tremendous thrashing in the water told them that the wounded bear musthave toppled over into the partly frozen pond. 

"Look out for him!" cried Max. 

He had ejected the used cartridge from his magazine rifle with one quickmotion. Another sent a fresh one into the firing chamber. 

Steve had drawn back the second hammer of his gun, and in this fashionthen the two chums advanced straight toward the spot where they had lastseen the bear. 

Bandy-legs, more cautious, kept farther off, though he, too, aimed toreach the border of the little lake, in order to see what was going on. 

"Got him!" whooped Steve, when he discovered that the bear was evidentlyfatally wounded, and fell back into the water every time he tried toclimb the bank. 

It was Max who thought to mercifully put an end to the stricken beast'ssufferings by another well-directed shot from his rifle. 

The bear was now dead. Even Toby put in his claim to a partnership inbringing about its demise. The right of first discovery rested with him, and he was ready to take up a defense of his claim at any time. 

So, in order to avoid all bad feelings, and insure peace in the familyhereafter, Max declared that the honor should be jointly shared by tiewhole four of them. 

"Whenever we speak of 'our' bear, you'll know which one we mean, " heremarked; "and, now, the next thing is to get the old chap up on dryland. "

Securing some rope and a couple of blocks he had seen at the cabin, doubtless used when Trapper Jim wanted to haul logs, or with one man'spower do a three-man job, Max fashioned a block and tackle. 

With this they easily got the bear up the bank. 

Then Max tried his hand at removing the skin, after which he cut up thebear, with Steve's assistance. And before Trapper Jim and Owen got backfrom setting a dozen more muskrat traps, as well as attending to thosethat had been neglected on the preceding day, everything needful had beendone. 

Great indeed was the surprise of Trapper Jim when he finally arrived, tired and likewise hungry, to smell cooking bear steaks, and discover notone bear skin stretched out properly to cure, but two. 

The last one had been somewhat torn where the various leaden missiles hadpassed through. But the trapper assured the boys that if placed in thehands of a good fur dealer it could be easily sewed up, and would makethem an elegant rug for their club room, "Every time you walk on it you'll remember this delightful littlevacation spent with Trapper Jim in the North Woods, " he declared. 

"And it will always have just a faint fishy smell to me, because therascal ate up all Toby's morning catch before we got him, " remarked Max. 

"S-s-say, we had f-f-fish for s-s-supper last night, didn't we?" demandedToby. 

"That's right, we did, " spoke up Steve, "and right sweet pickerel, too, thanks to the one who stuck it out all afternoon watching his poles andkeeping one eye on the woods for the mate of our bear to appear. Oh, theywere nice, all right! And I just dote on pickerel, all but the boot-jackbones. "

It can be safely assumed that they were a merry crowd that night. 

The boys, realizing that their period for fun up in those glorious NorthWoods had been extended another week, were bubbling over with joy. 

Trapper Jim had everything to make him contented, and even happy. Everytime he touched that elegant fox skin he felt like shaking hands withhimself because of the satisfaction it gave him--not so much the value ofthe pelt as the proud consciousness that he had finally been enabled tocapture another of those rare and almost priceless prizes which every furtaker dreams about. 

And then, again, doubtless Uncle Jim found great reason for thankfulnessevery time he glanced toward Ed Whitcomb. What had been a vague, half-formed dream in his mind bade fair to become a reality. He wasSusie's boy, and circumstances had thrown them together in a way sostrange that it was surely intended that they should part no more. 

As for the wounded man, although he might often deep down in his heartdeplore the weakness that had taken possession of him at sight of thecaptured silver fox, still, since it had brought Jim and him together, and revealed a new and entirely unsuspected bond between them, why shouldhe regret it. 

Besides, Trapper Jim declared he owed the fox skin to Ed, anyhow. He haddiscovered that the animal had gnawed its foot almost off, and longbefore Jim and the boys came along would have gone limping off on threelegs only that Ed appeared just in time to knock it on the head. 

With nearly two weeks ahead of them, it was only natural that Max and hisfour chums should anticipate other glorious times. And that they met withno disappointment in this respect the reader who has followed them thusfar with interest will discover when he reads the next volume of theseries:

"CAUGHT IN A FOREST FIRE. "

THE END.