Out with Gun and Camera Part 24

"It's against the law to destroy signboards," said Whopper. "That crowd ought to be brought to book for this."

"If you said anything they'd say we did it," responded Snap. "Ham would do anything to keep out of trouble and get us into a muss."

"That camp fire was built after the storm," said the doctor's son.

"That proves the Spink crowd can't be far from here."

"If they are near us we want to be on our guard," observed Giant.

"They'd like no better fun than to steal our things. They haven't forgotten what happened on the lakes this summer and last winter."

The boy hunters were bound for a spot mentioned to them by Dr.

Reed and Jed Sanborn. It was a small "dent" in the mountain side, where were located a fine spring of cool water with a rocky brook beyond. Some distance farther was a cut in the mountain with a tiny lake, surrounded by cedars and called Cedar Lake.

It was nightfall when they reached the "dent" and the spring. All were thirsty, and the sparkling water was very refres.h.i.+ng.

"Father says that some day he'll organize a company to bottle this water," said Shep. "He is sure it will command a large sale in the big cities---it is so clear and pure."

"It couldn't be better," answered Snap. He looked around him. "And what an ideal spot for our camp!"

It a.s.suredly was ideal in every respect. They could see for miles to the east, south and west, over hill after hill, covered with green trees and brushwood, with ribbons of water between, and here and there a lake. Using the field-gla.s.ses they could make out the church steeple of Fairview and some other buildings. Between the hills they could see various farms, with the cattle grazing in the pastures, or standing in groups in the barnyards. All was as silent and as calm as one could wish.

"What a place for a castle, like those of old!" murmured Snap as his eyes roamed over the scene. "Just think of this in the light of the full moon."

"Snap is getting romantic," came from Whopper. "Come on down to the earth, sonny, and help pitch the tent, or you'll have to sleep out in that moonlight to-night and run the risk of getting moonstruck."

And this remark brought forth a laugh, in which even Snap joined.

As tired as they were, the five boys cut the necessary poles and hoisted the tent. As this was to be a permanent camp for some weeks they erected the shelter with care, and around it dug a deep trench, with another trench to carry rain down the mountain side, so that none might run over the flooring as it had during the thunderstorm. Then they spent considerable time in cutting down some heavy cedar boughs for bedding. Snap, Whopper and Tommy did this latter work, and while it was going on Shep and Giant got together some flat stones and built something of a fireplace and a stove, not far from the tent's entrance. Then they cut firewood and soon had a generous blaze started and put the kettle on to boil.

"And are we going to stay here for a while, and just hunt and fish and---and rest?" asked the boy from the circus.

"Yes," answered Shep. "Don't you like it?"

"Like it! I think it's the---the best ever! Couldn't be better!"

was the hearty reply.

"I think it will make you fat and strong, Tommy, and that's what you need."

"And another thing," answered the boy. "Those circus people can't find me out here."

"It's not likely."

Everybody was glad that a permanent camp had been reached at last, and that night all slept "like rocks," to use Giant's way of expressing it. They left Wags on guard, but this was unnecessary, for nothing came to disturb them.

The next day was spent in perfecting the camp and in taking care of what remained of the fish and of the venison. The skins were nailed up in the sun to dry. The boys were sorry they could not keep all of the meat, but this was impossible, as they had no ice and no means of smoking or pickling it.

"Here comes somebody!" cried Whopper, while they sat around waiting for supper, which Snap and Tommy were preparing. Two boys were approaching, and as they came closer the young hunters recognized Ham Spink and his close crony, Carl Dudder.

CHAPTER XVI

A VISIT FROM THE ENEMY

"Wonder what they want?" whispered Shep as the newcomers drew closer.

"Perhaps they have only come out of idle curiosity," returned Snap.

"Well, in that case, they had better stay away," grumbled Giant.

Ham Spink and Carl Dudder came up slowly. To tell the truth, they were a bit afraid, thinking the others might jump on them and begin a fight, because of what had happened at the Fairview dock.

"h.e.l.lo!" said Ham presently. He did not know how else to start a conversation.

"h.e.l.lo yourself!" responded the doctor's son shortly.

"Going to camp out here, eh?" went on the dudish youth.

"Oh, no; we've opened an oyster house," returned Whopper, who was bound to have his fun.

"Humph! Frank Dawson, you needn't get funny!"

"Was I funny? I didn't see you laugh."

"You know what I mean."

"Expect to do some big hunting, I suppose?" said Carl Dudder with a bit of a sneer in his tones.

"We generally do pretty well when we are out," responded Snap.

"Following us up, eh?"

"Not at all."

"Yes, you are. You knew we were coming here."

"And you know who this tract of land belongs to, now?" said the doctor's son.

"It isn't fenced in," answered Carl, and his face took on a leer.

"Anybody can hunt here who wants to."

"That is true---but it will be fenced in next season. And, by the way, what right had you to tear down one of the signboards and use it for firewood?"

"Who said we did that?" demanded Ham.

"We saw the half-burned board at your camp fire."

"You can't blame that on us!" cried Carl.