BREAKING CAMP
And they had bear steak for supper.
Honestly, none of them thought a great deal of the treat, only that it
seemed to be the proper thing for hunters to enjoy the results of their
prowess with their guns.
Bluff was the happiest chap in camp, unless Will be excepted; he fondled
that recovered gun almost the whole evening, and while Jerry winced every
time he saw it, he dared not lift up his voice in protest after the great
work which the so-called Gatling gun had done in the hands of a
greenhorn.
Jerry with all his skill in the line of shooting had never been given the
opportunity to kill a bear, and he felt that the time had gone by for him
to class Bluff as a "come-on."
They spent a joyful evening, though, going over the exciting incidents of
the last forty-eight hours again and again.
"And to think that we have only been up here a few days, boys. Why, if
this sort of thing keeps on at this rate during our two weeks' stay,
whatever in the world am I going to do for more films?" asked Will,
plaintively.
"Keep the balance for especially good subjects," said Jerry, carelessly.
"Yes, but sometimes, you know, the best pictures are those you fail to
get. Now, there was that one with you hanging to that ladder, I'll never
get over my disappointment about losing that. Whenever anything of that
sort crops up again, I hope nobody will steal my camera."
"Talk to me about dogged perseverance, this fellow certainly has 'em all
beat to a frazzle," said Jerry, with an injured air, "I expect next he'll
be proposing that we go back to that old shaft, and while I hang by my
teeth to that blessed, shaky ladder, he will crack off a few views of the
circus. Don't you dare propose that, or I'll forget my promise to be
good, and begin to hide things again!"
"Oh! all right, I won't mention it, only it's a shame, that's what, when
any fellow in these days refuses to put himself out a little just to
oblige a friend, and interest posterity," grumbled Will.
They stayed up until quite late, singing songs of school and college
life, and having a happy time. Not one among the four dreamed of the
shadow that was even then hovering over Kamp Kill Kare.
There was no alarm that night, for which one and all felt grateful. This
thing of being aroused out of a sound sleep to have the covers whipped
off by a roaring gale may read all very nice, but the reality is quite a
different matter. And when wild animals invade the peaceful camp it
strikes one as very funny in print, but is apt to bring about a chilly
feeling when encountered in real life.
As usual, Frank was the first one up, and he soon had the camp astir with
his cheery calls. The nipping, frosty air proclaimed that now the Fall
had come in earnest, and that they would be glad after this to keep a
fire burning during each night, for warmth.
As they sat about the blaze after breakfast, laying out plans for the
day, the sound of a horse's neigh startled them.
"It's the sheriff, I reckon," said Jerry, as they jumped up.
And he had guessed correctly, for presently they saw a horseman appear,
and as he came up he waved his hand in greeting.
"Sorry, boys, but I've got some bad news for you," he said.
"Anybody dead, or sick?" asked Frank, turning a bit pale.
"Oh, no, nothing of that sort, I'm glad to say. This concerns you fellows
only?" was the quick reply of Mr. Dodd, the sheriff.
The four boys looked at one another with alarm.
"I bet I know what it is--the Head has concluded to start the school up
under half a roof, and wants us to come back right away!" said Will,
mournfully.
Mr. Dodd laughed aloud.
"Hit it the first slat out of the box, Will. And you've got to report
to-morrow morning, so you must go back to-day sure. I saw some of your
fathers, and they say the same, so there's no escape. Sorry to bring you
bad news; but looks like you've been doing your share of game-getting in
the short time you were here," nodding toward the bear that was hanging
up, and the deerskin, as well as the pelt of the invading wildcat.
"Well, it's hard lines, sir, but I suppose we have to obey. But get off
and have breakfast. Toby just loves to cook, you know. There's plenty of
coffee left, and you can have your choice of bear steak, or venison,"
said Jerry, hospitably.
So the sheriff made himself at home. He even assisted the boys get
their things together preparatory to moving back to town, before riding
on further.
The motor-cycles had been securely packed away under the big fly all this
time, and had not suffered at all from the rain. Indeed, the boys took
good care to keep them well oiled, knowing the benefit of having such
valuable pieces of mechanism in first-class order at all times.
Jerry went over to the farmer's and secured the horses and wagon. Then
the work of dismantling Kamp Kill Kare began. They tried to appear gay,
but every one of the boys had become attached to the place during their
short stay, and felt badly over leaving these scenes with so much undone
that they had planned for.
"Never mind, fellows, we're going to come again and again. This first
camp of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club isn't going to be the last, by any
means. And I guess we've learned a good many things on this trip," sang
out Jerry, cheerily.
"That's true every day, with all of us. I'm learning all the time. And
next year when we get under canvas we will have a lot of pleasant
memories to look back to. Why, with Will's pictures to help out, the
winter will be a constant feast of stories about the things that have
happened to us up here," remarked Frank.
"I'd like to have seen more of old Jesse. He's just chock full of woods
lore, and can give you all the points you want about animals and such.
How are things getting on out there, fellows? Is the wagon pretty well
loaded?" asked Jerry.
"Have the last tent packed away in ten minutes. Toby says he can drive
all right, but we'll keep near by to lend him a hand if necessary. The
road is some rough in places until we get on the pike."
Half an hour later the wagon moved away from the camp under the hemlocks.
Uncle Toby looked back and grinned amiably as he noted his ladder of
protection, and his friendly tree of refuge.
Each boy in turn started his machine by walking, then vaulted into the
saddle, and began to move along the trail that led down to the lumber
camps at the head of the lake.
No one said a word. In truth all were too full of emotion to speak, for
they felt this sudden flitting more than they cared to admit.
A turn of the trail and no longer could they see the twin hemlocks under
which the two khaki tents had stood. Frank had broken up many times in
his camping experiences and knew just how it felt; but the sensation was
new to the others. It was as if they had just lost a dear friend--as
though something had gone out of their lives that could never be
recovered again.
Now in advance of the trundling wagon, and anon bringing up the rear,
they kept on until finally the opening at the lumber camp was gained.
From now on their progress would be faster, and if they wished they could
leave Toby to come along with the wagon while they opened up and made a
speedy run for home.
Somehow no one seemed to care about doing that. The wagon held something
that had been associated in their minds with the most delightful of
times, and they felt as though they ought to continue to act as a guard
of honor to the slow moving team.
"Cheer up, fellows," called Frank, seeing how gloomy his chums looked;
"every one of us has good reason for feeling proud and satisfied, even if
our vacation has been cut short. I know I'm glad I came. I've had just a
glorious time!"
"And to think of the fine pictures I'll be developing to-night. Oh! don't
I hope they turn out good, though. Frank, you promised to come around and
help me with your advice. I wouldn't take a chance of spoiling those
views for anything," said Will, beginning to brighten up at the thought.
"And sure, I ought to be satisfied, with a deer, four wild dogs, and part
of a wildcat, too, as my portion," exclaimed Jerry, also smiling again.
"Well, what d'ye think of me then, me and the blessed old pump-gun you
used to make so much fun about? A bear, a great big savage bear that was
trying to shake me down out of that tree It's in the wagon, too, and all
our folks are going to try how sharp their teeth are when they get to
biting a genuine bear steak. I rather think I'm in this thing some, eh,
fellows?" demanded Bluff, positively.
"Yes, I rather believe you lead the procession this time, Bluff. Go up
ahead, and do the grand marshal act when we get near home. But, say what
you will, boys, we did have glorious fun. I doubt whether any fellows
ever had more adventures crowded into so short a time before. And we're
all of the same mind, I take it, ready to try it again at the very first
opportunity," said Frank.
And how they did try it again will be told in another book, to be called:
The Outdoor Chums on the Lake; or, Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island."
In that volume we shall meet all our young friends again, and likewise
their enemies, and follow out the particulars of some decidedly thrilling
happenings.
"Before we get into civilization again, let's give one last rousing cheer
for good old Kamp Kill Kare," cried Jerry.
"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! tiger!" rang out four boyish voices; and then,
waving an imaginary farewell to the pleasant camp under the hemlocks, the
outdoor chums turned once more to the duties of school life.
THE END
End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Chums, by Captain Quincy Allen