Four panting and tired boys came to a halt in the midst of a dense1 forest on the sloping sides of a mountain. Early that morning, Sam Bins2 had driven them as far as he could toward their destination.
Besides weapons and fishing-tackle, each hunter had a pair of blankets—rubber and woolen—and a water-proof canvas bag which contained tin dishes, a pair of moccasins, a compass, match-safe, and plenty of rope and twine3, besides nails. Havens4 carried a lantern and small saw. All were provided with hatchets5 and hunting knives, and provisions were divided up among them.
Dave Brandon, in addition, carried a brand new paint box, and the official photographer his camera. Everything unnecessary had been omitted, yet the outfits6 strapped7 to their backs were not light ones.
Dave Brandon threw himself wearily upon a flat rock.
"Oh, but I am tired," he exclaimed. "This truck weighs a ton. Where are we going to stop, Jim?"
"I know a dugout that's just the thing for us," responded Havens. "Sanders and I used it for a while last year. A long time ago, 'Surly Joe' hung out there."
"'Surly Joe', that's a nice name," laughed Bob. "A good disposition8, I suppose, eh?"
"Such a nice one that I hope we don't meet him. But there isn't a better hunter around these parts than Joe Tomlin."
"Why, that's the old chap we saw at the hotel," put in Dick Travers. "Remember, Bob?"
"Sure thing. Don't wonder they call him 'Surly Joe.' He certainly looked sour enough."
"He's a good friend of 'Big Bill's,'" explained Havens. "Every once in a while Joe gets to the village, but he and I don't gee9 together a bit."
"This climbing is tough work," drawled Dave. "I ache all over. How far is that dugout, Havens?"
"We ought to reach it before nightfall."
Dave, who had arisen, sank back on the rock, with a gesture of dismay.
In a short time, the march was resumed. The region about them was wild and rugged12. The forest contained a great variety of trees; shrubbery, underbrush and tangled13 vines were so dense in places as to make progress difficult. Boulders14 and rocks lay strewn about in profusion15, and the boys found it necessary to rest frequently.
"Should think there would be a lot of caves around here," panted Bob.
"There are," replied Havens, "and if you run across any, knock on the door before you stick your head inside."
"Oh, we know," laughed Dick; "bears and other beasts."
"That's right. If you keep your eyes open, you can see their tracks all around."
"Just listen to the birds," observed Dave. "Doesn't their singing and chattering17 sound fine? Hear that woodpecker tapping."
"Working for his living, eh?" grinned Dick.
"Look—a Jack18 rabbit," cried Bob, suddenly. "I'll bet I could have knocked him over easy. See him? He jumped over that log, running like sixty."
"I see something prettier," said Dave.
A bird, singing cheerily, had just darted19 across, a flaming spot of orange against the rich green hemlocks20 beyond.
"An oriole," announced the "poet." "A beautiful little bird, and a noisy one, too. Listen to his chatter16."
"If you fellows don't want to sleep out in the open to-night, you'd better be coming along," said Havens, and Dave, with a sigh, again struggled to his feet.
"Listen!" Dick stopped and held up his hand. "What's that noise?" he asked.
"The rapids," replied Havens. "I thought we must be pretty close to them."
"When we get there, let's stop and have some grub," said Dick. "Wow! My back's 'most broken. Always did hate to lug21 things."
"I'll sleep all day to-morrow," declared Dave.
"If you do, I'll set a bear on you," laughed Dick.
The noise of rushing water grew louder, and finally, after scrambling22 over a pile of rocks and forcing their way through a tangled thicket23, they reached the bank.
Before them was a dashing, tumbling stream, eddying24 and foaming25 past the grim-looking rocks, which for countless27 ages had disputed its passage in vain. Dancing drops sparkled like silver in the sunshine, currents swirled28 and bubbled, as the ever-rushing torrent29 gurgled forth30 its musical lament31.
"Oh, ho, what a lovely sight," exclaimed Dave Brandon. "Look at those trees bending over, the reflection in the water and that mass of pink dogwood."
"Pretty enough, Chubby," admitted Dick, "but I'm thirsty as thunder."
"You can get a drink a bit further along," said Havens. "We have to get across, anyway."
"Get across?" echoed Dick.
"Sure thing. The dugout's on the other side."
"Then I suppose I'll have the joy of helping32 to fish somebody out of the stream," said Dave. "Hello, did I hear anything?"
"What in the world is that?" cried Dick, in a startled tone.
"I see it," exclaimed Bob Somers, excitedly. "Some kind of an animal. Look! It's on that limb. Great Cæsar! What a whopper!"
Partially34 screened behind a mass of leaves, a long, tawny35 animal was crouching36, with ears thrown back and glaring eyes. Its long tail lashed37 from side to side, and its powerful, muscular body seemed to quiver with anger.
"What is it?" asked Bob, in a suppressed voice. "A panther?"
"Yes, though most people out here call the beast a mountain lion, or painter," replied Jim Havens. "That is one of the biggest I ever saw."
"Awful glad he's on the other side of the street," murmured Dave. "Not so sure, now, that I'm fond of hunting. Say—doesn't he look fierce?"
"They won't bother you much if they're let alone, but corner 'em, and I'd 'most as soon have a grizzly39 in front of me. It's a quiet beast—doesn't screech40 much, though once in a while he'll let out a yell that makes you sit up and take notice."
"Shall we risk a shot?" asked Dick, eagerly.
"No, I think not," replied Havens. "You might only wound him, and in case he managed to get across—well, Sanders and I had a scrap41 with one last year, and I ain't anxious for another."
"Look—he's off!" cried Bob.
With a low growl, the panther dropped lightly to the ground and disappeared in a dense thicket.
"They're great fellows for staying in trees," went on Havens, "and for springing down upon any animal that happens to pass. Hard to see, too—the color is so much like the bark."
"Well, I'm glad it's skipped," said Dick. "Hang it, if I'd only thought, I might have made a snap-shot."
"The trip is just begun," laughed Havens. "Get out your grub, fellows. Cat or no cat, James is going to eat."
"And possibly is ready for lunch, too," added Bob.
The boys looked at the swirling43 water and slippery rocks, the dark, overhanging banks with here and there gnarled roots exposed by crumbling44 away of the earth, then paused to consider.
"I think it will not be necessary for us to cross just now," said Dave, facetiously45.
No one offered an objection, and the quartet thereupon found seats.
Sandwiches, washed down with clear, cold water, refreshed them all.
On resuming the march, they kept as close as possible to the rapids. Presently Havens led the way out on a bank.
"What a magnificent view," exclaimed Dave, pointing toward the opposite range of mountains.
"Couldn't be finer, Chubby," declared Bob.
"This is where we cross the stream, fellows," put in Havens. "Get ready for your bath."
"I'm going first—here's a scheme," he added. "I'll tie a rope around my waist. You fellows hang on to the end, and if I slip I won't go ten miles without stopping."
"Right you are, old man," said Bob. "That water is pretty deep in places."
The necessary precaution having been attended to, Havens carefully stepped upon a large, flat rock.
"Slippery as the dickens," he said.
"Why shouldn't it be?" observed the "poet." "It's been here for a million years, perhaps."
"Don't get to dreaming, Dave," laughed Bob.
"Chubby's the clumsiest chap I ever saw, yet he does everything right," observed Dick, thoughtfully. "At times, I feel like splashing him."
Dave laughed good-naturedly.
Havens made his way carefully from rock to rock. Out in the midst of the stream, with eddying currents and masses of foam26 on all sides, it looked bigger and more dangerous than when viewed from the bank. The main channel was too wide to jump, and the only means of crossing it was a series of small round boulders so smooth as to scarcely afford a footing.
His companions, who had followed part way, held the rope tightly and waited for him to fall in. It was a matter of some surprise when they found that this was not going to happen.
"Hope that we are just as lucky," said Dick, as he grasped the rope which Havens had tied to a tree, and prepared to follow.
By the time that Travers stood on the opposite bank Bob and Dave were well on their way across. These two worthies46 did not meet with any mishap47, though the stout48 boy gracefully49 accepted all the aid that was proffered50 when it came to the final climb.
"I wonder if his catship is anywhere around," remarked Dick Travers.
The boys were soon winded again, but even weariness did not prevent them from enjoying the forest. Gloomy and grand, it surrounded them on all sides. With heads bared to the whispering breeze, the boys lolled on the ground and looked at the patches of clear blue sky between the interlacing branches, and forgot, for the moment, whatever dangers might exist. Each breath of air brought with it some woodland odor—of fragrant52 pine or dogwood and many other plants.
"Worth all our trouble," said Bob. "But say, Jim, will you be able to find that dugout?"
"I'd be a silly chump if I couldn't," answered Havens. "Tramped these mountains too many times to lose my bearings."
"But suppose some one is living there?"
"Build a lean-to; or I know a cave where we might put up for a few days."
"Rent high?" asked Dick.
"No, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had a bear for a landlord."
Fifteen minutes later, just as Dave was about to declare his inability to go a step further, Jim announced that the dugout was close at hand.
"Thank goodness!" exclaimed the "poet," wearily.
But it was still some time before Havens uttered a grunt54 of satisfaction, then said, "It's right over there, fellows—back of that clump55 of trees."
"Me, too," sighed Dave. "I'd holler like that if I wasn't so tired."
In a few moments, they saw a log structure built against a wall of rock.
"Never was so glad to see anything in my life," declared Bob Somers. "It doesn't look big enough for the whole bunch, though, Jim."
Havens smiled. "Don't you know that a dugout is a log cabin or some kind of a shack57 built in front of a cave?" he asked.
"Good! This is a dandy place, eh, Dave?" cried Bob, enthusiastically. "Imagine sitting out here, after a good day's sport, with a venison steak broiling58 over the fire!"
"I'll get indigestion, if you talk that way, Bob Somers," said Dave, severely59, as he threw his burden down on the turf.
"Don't go rushing in, fellows," warned Jim. "Sometimes a varmint takes it into his ugly head to use it for a stopping place."
"All right!" he sang out, as his form disappeared from view.
The dugout, though solidly built, showed the ravages61 of time. The door was missing and a tree, dislodged by some gale62, had fallen across the roof, leaving a gaping63 hole.
But, in spite of these defects, the boys were delighted.
"We can fix it up in short order," declared Bob.
"Not to-day, thank you," said Dave.
The light from a single window illuminated64 the interior of a spacious65 cave. Several reminders66 of its former occupants, a rude table and chairs, were scattered67 around.
"Don't see any piano," murmured Dave Brandon.
After a short rest, Jim, who seemed to be the least tired, set about collecting fuel, and soon had a fire started. Then outfits were unpacked69, and dishes and provisions brought forth.
Bob suddenly straightened up. "Jim," he said, solemnly, "how about water?"
"Just beyond that big cedar70," Havens indicated the direction, "you'll find a rivulet71. Don't go without your gun."
"Oh, no," laughed the other; "I've been out in the woods before."
Bob had no trouble in finding water, and when he returned preparations for supper were under way. Havens and Brandon attended to this duty, while Dick Travers and Bob Somers went off in search of cedar boughs72.
Armed with hatchets, they kept steadily73 at work, and although very tired, did not desist until a large quantity of the fragrant leaves had been collected. Then Dave helped drag them to the dugout. Four beds were made in the cave, after which the hunters, well satisfied with the result of their labor74, sat down to supper.
"What's on the bill of fare?" asked Bob.
"Not bad, for a starter. Guess I can get away with my share all right."
"Nothing like outdoor life to give a fellow an appetite," commented Dick.
Dusk soon gathered. The forest looked grim and sombre, and when night came it was pleasant to watch the twinkling stars overhead and to listen to the weird77 sounds which often filled the air.
Havens piled a couple of logs on the fire and the dancing flames sent forth a cheerful glow.
Finally Dave Brandon picked up a lantern and led the way into the dugout. When all were inside, he stretched a blanket across the door, then, following the example of the others, spread his rubber blanket over the fir brush. Bob hung the lantern upon a board projecting near the hole in the roof.
"Good-night, fellows," said Jim.
Dick Travers' slumber79 was not refreshing80. Occasionally, he half opened his eyes. The interior of the cave, in the dim light, looked very strange. Deep black shadows stretched up to the jagged roof, and, in places, some mineral sparkled brightly.
But it was something else that finally caught his attention, and caused him to sit bolt upright. A strange sound seemed to come from the roof of the log house.
Dick slowly rose to his feet, and listened intently. He hesitated to awaken81 his soundly sleeping companions.
As the boy was about to steal forward, a sharp crash echoed throughout the cave with startling clearness. Then followed a series of sounds which fairly made his hair stand on end.
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1
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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bins
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| n.大储藏箱( bin的名词复数 )；宽口箱（如面包箱，垃圾箱等）v.扔掉，丢弃( bin的第三人称单数 ) | |
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twine
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| v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕 | |
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havens
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| n.港口，安全地方( haven的名词复数 )v.港口，安全地方( haven的第三人称单数 ) | |
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hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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6
outfits
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| n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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8
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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fin
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| n.鳍；(飞机的)安定翼 | |
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11
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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hemlocks
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| 由毒芹提取的毒药( hemlock的名词复数 ) | |
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lug
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| n.柄，突出部，螺帽；(英）耳朵；（俚）笨蛋；vt.拖，拉，用力拖动 | |
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22
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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eddying
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| 涡流，涡流的形成 | |
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foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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40
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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41
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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43
swirling
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的现在分词 ) | |
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44
crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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45
facetiously
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| adv.爱开玩笑地；滑稽地，爱开玩笑地 | |
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46
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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47
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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49
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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50
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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52
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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53
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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54
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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55
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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56
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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57
shack
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| adj.简陋的小屋，窝棚 | |
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58
broiling
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| adj.酷热的，炽热的，似烧的v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的现在分词 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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59
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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60
whoops
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| int.呼喊声 | |
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61
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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62
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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63
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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64
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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reminders
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| n.令人回忆起…的东西( reminder的名词复数 )；提醒…的东西；（告知该做某事的）通知单；提示信 | |
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67
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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68
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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69
unpacked
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| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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70
cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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71
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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72
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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73
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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74
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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75
sardines
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| n. 沙丁鱼 | |
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76
crackers
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| adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘 | |
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77
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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78
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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79
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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80
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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81
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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