A NIGHT UNDER THE CLIFF
"One thing is sure," said Jack presently. "We can't stand out here in
this snowstorm all night."
"Let's go on at least a short distance further," broke in Spouter.
"Maybe we'll come to some sort of trail that Gif will recognize," put in
Randy.
"I'm getting dead tired. I can't tramp more than a mile or two further,"
said Fred.
"I don't believe any of us care to go any such distance as that, Fred,"
returned Jack kindly. "Here, give me your gun. I'll carry it for you,"
for it was plainly to be seen the youngest Rover was becoming exhausted.
All were tired out from their skate and their tramp, and climbing among
the rough rocks covered with snow was by no means easy.
Soon they reached another line of rocks, this time much higher than
those they had been crossing. At one end of the rocks was a small cliff.
At the top of this several cedars had once stood, but the winds of the
winter before had blown them over, so that, while the roots were still
imbedded in the cliff, the tops rested in the snow below.
"Great salt mackerel!" cried Gif in dismay. "Well, now I have spilled
the beans!"
"What's up now?" questioned Randy quickly.
"I heard my uncle tell about this place. He visited it just after those
trees fell over. He said the spot was about three miles from the Lodge."
At this there was a groan from the twins and Fred.
"We can't walk that distance in this snowstorm," said the latter
decidedly.
"Not over those rough rocks, anyway," added Randy. "I feel as if my
ankles were getting twisted out of shape."
"Do you know in what direction the Lodge is from here?" questioned
Spouter.
"I do not, except that you have to be on the top of the cliff to get to
it. We were evidently headed the right way, although we must have walked
in a big semicircle since we left the river."
"I'm going to climb to the top of the cliff and have a look around,"
declared Jack. "Here, take these guns and the game."
It was no easy matter to mount to the top of the cliff which at this
point was at least fifteen feet over their heads. But Jack finally made
it, and was followed by Spouter and Gif.
Here, however, the view was no better than from below--the thickly
falling snow hiding the landscape on every side. Night was coming on and
it was growing colder, and the boys could not help but shiver.
"I guess the best thing we can do it to try to make ourselves
comfortable for the night," remarked Jack.
"How can we make ourselves comfortable without anything to eat?"
questioned Spouter.
"We've got the game. We can start a fire and cook some of that."
"And besides, you must remember we have the things we bought at
Henryville," said Gif.
The three rejoined the others, and the question of what to do was put to
the younger Rovers. Fred and Andy declared they could not tramp much
further, and at once agreed that it would be best to try to make
themselves comfortable for the night.
"It looks as if there might be some kind of shelter under those fallen
cedars," said Randy. "Hanging down from the top of the cliff, they form
a sort of lean-to."
"I was thinking of that," said Jack. "Let us get under them and
investigate."
"Beware of more wildcats," cautioned Andy.
"We'll use my flashlight," said Gif.
This was done, he and several of the others investigated the spot under
the fallen cedars with care. No trace of any wild animal, not even a
rabbit or a squirrel, was found. Then the boys began to size up the
situation, trying to determine how they could make themselves at home
there for the night.
"First of all I think we had better build a fire," suggested Gif. "Then,
after we have warmed up and rested a bit, we can prepare supper."
With so much wood at hand it was an easy matter to start a campfire.
This was placed at one side of the opening under the fallen cedars, the
boys taking care that the flames should not reach the trees. With their
hatchet they cut off some of the cedar boughs and scattered these over
the ground for a flooring. The driest they placed to one side to use for
bedding later.
Fortunately while at Henryville they had purchased a fair-sized box of
cocoa. This box was of tin, and Jack suggested that they dump the cocoa
out on a sheet of paper which he had in his pocket and then use the tin
for a pot in which to boil water.
"It won't make a very large cocoa pot, but it will be better than
nothing, and we can fill it as many times as we please."
The boys had several collapsible drinking cups with them, and these they
would take turns in using.
"I'm mighty glad we bought that cheese," remarked Spouter. "That will
help out quite a little," for they carried a piece weighing almost two
pounds.
Of the other things purchased at Henryville, only a box of fancy
crackers could be used. There were two dozen all told, and these were
divided by Randy, four crackers to each cadet.
"We'll clean a couple of the rabbits and see what we can do about
broiling them over the flames," said Gif. "Now you fellows can show what
you can do," he added, with a grin. "It's all well enough to work when
you've got the tools to work with, but quite another story when you've
got next to nothing."
Water was obtained by melting a quantity of the snow, and soon they had
the first can of hot cocoa ready. In the meanwhile several of the lads
were broiling the rabbits as best they could.
"I know how I'm going to heat the next can of water," declared Andy.
"I'm going to do as the Indians did--drop a clean, redhot stone into
it." And this he did later on and got his boiling water in short order.
It was not a very satisfactory meal, but the lads had fun eating it, and
they did not complain when they found portions of the broiled rabbits
slightly burnt and found that four fancy crackers with cheese each did
not take the place of a big pan of biscuits or a good-sized loaf of
bread.
"One thing is in our favor, anyhow," said Fred, with a sigh of
satisfaction, after they had finished their scant meal. "We won't have
to wash the dishes."
The can was dried over the fire, the cocoa was replaced, and then the
lads proceeded to make themselves comfortable for the night. They missed
their blankets, and it was therefore decided that they should take turns
in sitting up and guarding the fire, so that all might keep warm without
running the danger of setting fire to the cedars under which they were
resting.
It proved to be a long and wearisome night for most of them. The resting
places were anything but soft, and a fitful wind often blew the smoke of
the campfire toward the would-be sleepers, causing them to cough and
shift their positions. But neither man nor beast came to disturb them,
for which they were thankful.
"Going to bother about breakfast?" questioned Jack, as he sat up and saw
that Gif and Spouter were already stirring.
"I don't think so," was the answer. "If you fellows are willing, we'll
strike right out for the Lodge. We can get a better meal there."
The others agreed, and almost before daylight they were on their way
again. They climbed to the top of the cliff, and, after moving around
cautiously for several hundred feet, reached a well defined trail
running in the direction Gif thought they ought to take.
The storm had cleared away, and soon the sun came peeping over the
treetops.
"Gee! I won't do a thing to a good hot breakfast when we reach the
Lodge," remarked Randy to his twin.
"I'll be with you," returned Andy. "A big heaping plate of pancakes with
maple syrup for me, flanked by a couple of good-sized sausage cakes and
washed down with a big cup of that cocoa!"
"Say, Andy, you make me hungry clean down to my shoes!" burst out Fred.
"I think we'll all be able to eat a good breakfast by the time we get
there," announced Gif.
"Are you sure you are on the right trail, Gif?" questioned Spouter
anxiously.
"Yes, I know where I am now. It's queer how I got mixed up before."
"How much further?" questioned Jack.
"About half a mile."
They crossed another small clearing, and on the edge of this caught
sight of several more rabbits. Jack and Randy fired simultaneously and
were lucky to bring down two of the bunnies.
"They will help out the larder just so much more," announced Gif, after
they had tried for several minutes to stir up more of the rabbits, but
without success.
"I wish we could get a chance at some other kind of game," remarked
Jack.
Presently they caught sight of Cedar Lodge at a distance, and then all
hurried their pace.
"Looks mighty good to a fellow after he's been away all night," declared
Spouter.
"Look, Look!" burst out Gif. "What can that mean? Every window and every
door of the Lodge is wide open!"
"Sure as you're born, Gif is right!" ejaculated Fred. "Something is
wrong, that's sure."
All set off on a run, to ascertain as quickly as possible what had
occurred at the Lodge during their absence. Gif was the first to enter
the place, but he was quickly followed by the others.
"Gee! what do you know about this?" ejaculated Andy.
"This is the work of our enemies!" murmured Jack.
The doors and windows had evidently been open for some time, for the
Lodge was bitter cold inside and not a little snow had drifted in
through the openings. The wind had likewise entered, blowing the ashes
of the dead fire in all directions.
"I'll bet Glutts and Werner did this!" cried Spouter.
"Just what I think," answered Jack.