BACK IN CAMP
Bunny Brown tried to be brave, but when he saw someone come into the
cave in the darkness, in such a queer way, the little boy did not know
what to do. He thought of Sue, and felt that he must not let her get
hurt, no matter what else happened.
"Oh, Bunny!" cried Sue. "Is that one of the robbers? Is it, Bunny? If it
is I don't want to stay here! You said there weren't any but picture
book robbers in this cave, Bunny Brown!"
Bunny did not answer right away. He did not know what to tell Sue.
But the big boy who had dropped down through the chimney hole
straightened up suddenly. Bunny could see him patting Splash on the
head.
And that was rather strange, for Splash did not easily make friends
with strangers. He would not bite them, but he would bark at them, until
some of his friends had said it was all right, and that he need bark no
more.
But, after his bark of surprise this time, Splash seemed to have
suddenly made friends with the big boy who had come sliding down the
chimney hole of the cave.
"Who--who are you?" asked Bunny again.
Instead of answering the big boy laughed. Then he asked:
"Are you Bunny Brown and his sister Sue?"
"Ye--yes--yes, we are," Bunny said. "But how did you know?"
"Oh, I can tell, all right."
Splash seemed very glad to meet the strange boy. There was still light
enough coming down the chimney hole for Bunny to see the dog's wagging
tail. And Splash did not wag his tail for persons he did not like. This
must be a friend.
"Is--is you a robber?" asked Sue. She had hidden her face in the pile of
bags, and was holding closely to her doll.
Again the big boy laughed.
"No, I'm not a robber," he said, "though I did take a piece of your
mother's bacon. But I'll pay her back for it. How in the world did you
find my cave, and where is your father, or Bunker Blue? And what are you
doing out alone in this storm? Are you----"
But Bunny Brown broke in on the questions.
"Oh, I know who you are! I know who you are!" Bunny cried. "You're Tom
Vine who ran away from us! Why did you run away? Daddy has been looking
for you. You are Tom Vine; aren't you?"
"Yes, Bunny, I am. Wait a minute and I'll light a lantern, and you can
see me better. Look out, Splash, so I won't step on you."
So that was why Splash had made such good friends with the big boy who
came down the cave chimney hole--Splash knew Tom Vine, of course, even
in the darkness.
Tom walked over to one of the boxes, and brought out a lantern. This he
lighted. Bunny and Sue blinked their eyes at the sudden light, but they
were soon used to it. Then they looked at Tom.
Yes, it was he. But he was even more ragged than when they had first
seen him. He was laughing, though, and did not seem sad.
"And to think when I came home, and slid down the chimney of my cave,
which I sometimes do, when I don't want to go around to the front
door--to think when I did this I should find Bunny Brown and his sister
Sue here!" said Tom. "How in the world did you find me?"
"We weren't looking for you," answered Bunny. "We were in the boat, with
Bunker Blue. He went on an island to fish, and we sailed away with the
umbrella. We landed here and I found this cave, to get out of the rain.
I told Sue it was a make-believe robbers' cave."
"Well, I guess I'm the only robber who ever lived in it," said Tom. "But
what are you children going to do? Tell me all about how you got here."
This Bunny and Sue did, from the time they started out with Bunker Blue,
until Bunny opened his eyes to see Tom sliding down the grapevine rope.
"And now I'll tell you about myself," said Tom.
"Have you been living here in this cave ever since you went away from
our camp?" asked Bunny.
"Yes," answered Tom. "This has been my home. No one knew I was here. I
wanted to keep out of sight of Mr. Trimble, for fear he'd make me go
back to his farm."
"Oh, he won't make you go back," said Bunny. "He's sorry he was so cross
to you. He told daddy so; didn't he, Sue?"
"Yes, he did. I'm glad we found you, Tom," and she put her little hand
in his big one.
"And I'm glad I found you and Bunny, Sue. And I'm glad that Mr. Trimble
isn't looking for me. I was getting tired of hiding out this way. I want
to go back to your camp."
"You can come," said Bunny. "Daddy wants you, I know, for he said he
did. Come on back now."
"Wait a minute," said Tom. "First I'll tell you how I came here. And
then, I guess, we'll have to stay until morning, as it is storming too
bad to leave the cave now."
Tom then told that he had heard Mr. Trimble was looking for him, to make
him go back to the farm.
"And, as I was afraid he'd catch me, I ran away from your camp that day
when I went for the pail of water," said Tom. "As I was at the spring I
saw Mr. Trimble going past behind some bushes. He didn't see me, because
I stooped down. And when he got past I ran away. I didn't want him to
get me.
"I found this cave, and I've lived in it. I took some old boxes and bags
from a barn. They were thrown away, so no one wanted them, I knew. Then
I found this lantern and I brought that here."
"How did you get anything to eat?" asked Bunny.
"Well, I took that," said Tom. "In the night I went back to your camp,
and took some things. I didn't think your folks would care very much."
"They didn't," said Bunny. "Did you take the pie and the bacon and
eggs?"
"Yes," said Tom, "I did. I have earned some money, though, and I'll pay
for them."
"And did you knock down the pile of tins?" Bunny asked, "and make the
noise in the night?"
"Yes," laughed Tom. "I thought sure your folks would catch me then, but
I got safely away. And ever since then I've stayed in this cave. I found
it by accident. It made a nice dry place. During the day I would go off
to different farms and work enough to earn a little money to buy things
to eat. All the while I was afraid Mr. Trimble would find me. He was
such a mean man."
"But he's turned good now," declared Bunny, "and he's sorry he was bad
to you. He wouldn't even shut you up in a smoke-house," and Bunny told
of finding the fox in the little house.
"So then I can go back to your camp, and Mr. Trimble won't try to get
me; will he?" asked Tom.
"Nope, he won't hurt you at all," said Bunny. "And please can't we go
back to our camp now? Daddy and mother will be so worried about us."
"Why, yes, I guess I can take you," said Tom. "It isn't very far, and
there's a good road. I see you have an umbrella. That will keep Sue dry.
You and I won't mind getting wet, Bunny; will we?"
"Nope," said the little fellow.
When they went to the entrance of the cave they found that the rain had
stopped, and the moon was shining. It was quite light in the woods.
Leading Bunny and Sue by the hands, with Splash following after, Tom
started for Camp Rest-a-While. He stopped for a moment on top of the
cave, to show the children the chimney hole, and how he had slid down it
by holding on to a long grapevine, that twined around a tree growing
near the hole. The grapevine was like a long rope.
Through the woods went Bunny, Sue and Tom. As they came near the camp
they saw lanterns flashing, and voices called:
"Bunny! Bunny Brown! Sue! Sue! Where are you?"
"Here we are, Daddy! Here we are!" cried Bunny and Sue together. "And
Tom Vine is with us!" added Bunny.
Those carrying the lantern rushed forward, and soon Bunny and Sue were
clasped in their father's and mother's arms, while Uncle Tad and Bunker
were shaking hands with Tom, and listening to his story of how he had
found the children in the cave where he made his home.
"And to think you two went off in a boat with an umbrella for a sail!"
cried Mother Brown to the children. "Don't you ever do it again!"
"We won't!" promised Bunny. "But what happened to you, Bunker?"
"Well, after you left me on the island," said the red-haired boy, "I
waited until I saw your father coming after me in a boat. He took me to
camp, and I told him I thought you and Sue had drifted down the lake. So
we set out to find you, but you got here all right."
"And I don't want to sleep in any more caves," said Sue.
"I like it," Bunny said. "It was nice!"
The children were soon asleep in their cots in the camp tent, and after
Tom had told his story to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, he, too, was given his
old bed. He had nothing more to fear from Mr. Trimble, and he need not
have run away, only he was afraid of the farmer. And for that reason he
did not go back to camp, or send any word to Mr. Brown.
But everything came out all right, and Mr. Trimble came over and told
Tom how sorry he was for having been so unpleasant as to make him run
away.
Bunny Brown and his sister Sue stayed at Camp Rest-a-While all that
summer and they had much fun, and many more adventures, but I have no
room to tell you about them in this book. Perhaps I may write another
volume about them later. As for Tom Vine, he was taken to live in
Bellemere, where he worked at Mr. Brown's boat business with Bunker
Blue. He did not have to live in a cave any more, and had a good home.
And now, having told all there is to tell, I will let you say good-bye
to Bunny Brown and his sister Sue.
THE END
This Isn't All!
Would you like to know what became of the good
friends you have made in this book?
Would you like to read other stories continuing
their adventures and experiences, or other books
quite as entertaining by the same author?
On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes
with this book, you will find a wonderful list of
stories which you can buy at the same store where
you got this book.
=Don't throw away the Wrapper=
_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want
some day to have. But in case you do mislay it,
write to the Publishers for a complete catalog._
THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books, Etc.
* * * * *
=Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding. Each Volume
Complete in Itself.=
* * * * *
These stories are eagerly welcomed by the little
folks from about five to ten years of age. Their
eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively
doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his
cunning, trustful sister Sue.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP-REST-A-WHILE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNNY SOUTH
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE KEEPING STORE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR TRICK DOG
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT A SUGAR CAMP
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON THE ROLLING OCEAN
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON JACK FROST ISLAND
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT SHORE ACRES
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT BERRY HILL
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK=
THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc.
* * * * *
=Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding. Every Volume
Complete in Itself.=
* * * * *
These books for boys and girls between the ages of
three and ten stand among children and their
parents of this generation where the books of
Louisa May Alcott stood in former days. The haps
and mishaps of this inimitable pair of twins,
their many adventures and experiences are a source
of keen delight to imaginative children.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR
THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CHERRY CORNERS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THEIR SCHOOLMATES
THE BOBBSEY TWINS TREASURE HUNTING
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK=
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of The Bobbsey Twins Books, The Bunny Brown Series, The Blythe
Girls Books, Etc.
* * * * *
=Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding. Every Volume
Complete in Itself.=
* * * * *
Delightful stories for little boys and girls which
sprung into immediate popularity. To know the six
little Bunkers is to take them at once to your
heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun
and cute sayings. Each story has a little plot of
its own--one that can be easily followed--and all
are written in Miss Hope's most entertaining
manner. Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be
on the bookshelf of every child in the land.
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MAMMY JUNE'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT FARMER JOEL'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MILLER NED'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT INDIAN JOHN'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT HAPPY JIM'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT SKIPPER BOB'S
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK=
THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS
By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE
* * * * *
=Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by
WALTER S. ROGERS=
* * * * *
Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl,
and to know her is to take her to your heart at
once.
Little girls everywhere will want to discover what
interesting experiences she is having wherever she
goes.
HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP WEST
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST SUMMER ON AN ISLAND
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK=
THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS
By LAURA LEE HOPE
* * * * *
Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by
THELMA GOOCH
Every Volume Complete in Itself
* * * * *
The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone
in New York City. Helen, who went in for art and
music, kept the little flat uptown, while Margy,
just out of a business school, obtained a position
as a private secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and
businesslike, took what she called a "job" in a
department store.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE
A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE
The Girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an
unusual inheritance.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM
Rose, still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with
the greatest problem of her life.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER
Helen goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose real identity is
a puzzle. Who the girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION
The girls go to the country for two weeks--and fall in with all sorts
of curious and exciting happenings.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION
Of course we cannot divulge the big secret, but nevertheless the girls
as usual have many exciting experiences.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY
A very interesting story, telling how Rose aided an old man in the
almost hopeless search for his daughter.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN
Helen calls on the art dealer on business and finds the old fellow has
made a wonderful discovery.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP
An absorbing tale of winter happenings, full of excitement.
* * * * *
=GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK=
* * * * *
Transcriber's notes:
Punctuation normalized.
Page 51, "exlaimed" changed to "exclaimed."
Page 147, "Said Tom Vine" changed to "said Tom Vine."
Page 148, "forgotton" changed to "forgotten."