THE WARNING OVER THE WIRE
After supper the two boys once more ascended to the snuggery near the
roof.
There was no further reference made to either the disappearance of the
old coins, or Paul's little heart trouble with his girl chum.
They had a number of books loaned them by the good old minister and which
were full of interesting facts connected with the wonderful Boy Scout
movement, especially over in England, where it originated.
Paul was deeply interested in picking out all features that would appeal
to American lads. Until they had found the right party to take the
position of troop master he wished to play the part of scout leader in
such fashion that no one could pick a flaw with his management.
Usually it is some adult to whom this important position is entrusted
from the start; Paul, however, had long been known to be so deeply
interested in many of the branches which concern life in the open, that
his mates were only too glad to have him occupy the exalted position of
leader for the time being.
When they knew as much as Paul did, they believed they would be well
qualified to pass for a first-class scout's assignment.
So Paul, with the assistance of his comrade, was selecting many
interesting competitions. By means of these the boys could be tested as
to their knowledge of those things so important to the boy scouts.
He made many charts showing the different footprints of wild animals, as
well as those of the domestic cat and dog. By following the tracks of
a rabbit a most interesting as well as instructive story could be made
out. It was possible just from the marks on the ground, or the snow, to
tell how the animal had been frightened into wild flight, by what sort of
enemy it had been pursued, where the swoop of owl or eagle had brought
specks of blood upon the leaves or white snow, and finally the picked
bones of poor bunny would reveal the secret of the windup of the chase.
So, in every case, the student of nature could weave a story out of
the marks discovered. It was so in the days of the Indian, when old
Leatherstocking and his long-barreled rifle were leading factors in the
life of the wilds. Daniel Boone and his pioneers used to read such signs
as easily as any boy might the pages of this book. And the deeper any lad
dips into such fascinating studies the more he wants to learn.
When half past nine came Paul said he must be going.
"I've had a jolly evening of it, Jack, and enjoyed every minute with you.
When we get the boys together again we can have half a dozen competitions
going on at once," he said as he arose and stretched himself.
"That's so," replied the other, following suit; while even Carlo arched
his broad back, and prepared to follow them downstairs; "and the best
of this thing is that the more you go into it the greater it gets. I'm
fairly wild to keep it up."
Just as the boys reached the lower floor the telephone bell rang, and
Jack, being near, stepped over to the small table in the hall on which
the receiver rested.
"Yes, sure, he's here. Hold the wire," Paul heard him say, as he smiled;
and then turning to his friend Jack continued: "here, Paul, take hold.
Somebody wants to talk with you. Says he called up your house, and they
told him you were over at my home."
Paul of course wondered who could be wanting him so positively that he
even followed him over to the Stormways house.
"Hello! hello!" he said, quietly.
"That you, Paul?"
"It's Bobolink, I guess," remarked Paul, for the benefit of his chum who
stood by, listening curiously.
"That's right," continued the voice over the wire.
"What's doing to make you chase me up this way, Number Three?" Paul went
on.
"That's the trouble; I just don't know for sure. But when I caught Ted's
voice among the bunch I said to myself, they're up to no good; and I bet
it's Paul they are laying for."
"Hey! what's that? Who's laying for me, and where?" demanded the startled
boy.
"Listen, and I'll tell you all I learned. 'Taint much, but I know that
critter so well that I wouldn't put it past him to try and knock you out,
so that all our drilling in the woods would be upset, and his crowd get
an advantage."
"Oh! bosh! What's this you're giving me, Bobolink?"
"Yes, I expected you'd say that. Think I'm stringing you, don't you,
Paul? But I'm not, all the same. Listen again. Perhaps Ted and two of
his cronies have gone and dressed up in some old Hallowe'en toggery until
they look like a set of bears or hyenas just to frolic around a bit.
Well, mebbe they have; but tell me just why they are hiding close to
_your_ place?" continued the talkative yet determined Bobolink.
"When did you see them?" demanded the other.
"Not more'n eight minutes ago, Paul. Was comin' home myself. Been over
to Bluff's house to fix up some surprises we expect to play on all you
fellers later on, and show you what we know about this scoutin' business.
On the way home I turned in and passed your house. Often come that way,
you know," and the speaker paused as if for breath, or to hear Paul admit
the fact.
"Sure. Go on, you slow turtle. You've got me keyed up now to my top-notch
curiosity. Give us the rest of the yarn," said Paul, eagerly.
"Yarn! H'm! there you go, making out I'm hatching up a story. But take my
word for it, Paul, three fellers are hidin' in the bushes close to your
place, and expectin' some one to pass along in the dark. They started to
jump out at me, and then I heard Ted's voice growlin' to 'em to fade
away, that it wasn't the right one. Thought I'd just ask you if you could
explain what it meant. When your mother told me you was over with Jack I
saw a light, and that's what."
"Well, I'm glad you told me, Bobolink. A good scout is always on the
alert to do his comrade a clever turn; and I won't forget this. That
all?"
"But now I've told you, Paul, aren't you goin' to slip around the back
way, and let them fellers take it out waitin'? Three to one is too much.
They'll do you up, and make out 'twas only horseplay. Please give 'em the
slip, Paul. We need you in our business, you know."
"I'll see about it, Bobolink. Thanks, good-bye!" and Paul switched off.
"Well, what's all this about?" asked Jack, as his chum turned toward him,
with a frown on his face, and a gleam in his eye that the other knew
stood for grim determination.
"He says there are three fellows lying in wait in the bushes near my
place, all rigged up in their Hallowe'en toggery; and that he believes
they know I am over at your house. That's all," remarked Paul, with a
little nervous laugh, and a clinching of his hands.
"Good gracious! you don't say; three of them waiting to pounce on you!
Did he seem to know who they were?" asked Jack, looking worried.
"Well, you might guess that easy enough," replied Paul, scornfully.
"Ted Slavin and some of his ugly ducklings?"
"Bobolink says he recognized Ted's voice. And, I suppose my warm friend
Ward is one of the others. He never loses a chance to get a dig in at
me."
"I don't know," returned Jack, thoughtfully; "to tell the honest truth I
hardly think he can be one of the bunch, because his sister took Arline
home with her to supper; and I guess Ward couldn't be coaxed out while
_she_ is there."
Paul winced, but said nothing.
"Oh! well, it doesn't matter much after all. They're a lot of cowards, or
else they wouldn't be concerned in such a low game. You can give them the
slip by going around the back way," and Jack chuckled at the thought of
those silly fellows waiting an hour or two for the expected victim who
never came, and then going home in sheer disgust.
Paul shook his head.
"Now, that's just what Bobolink said, too; but I've made up my mind that
I'm not going to sneak home, like a dog with his tail between his legs,"
he said, shutting his teeth hard together.
"You mean that you'll take the street that leads to the front of your
house? Oh I well, they'll hardly tackle us when they see there are two,"
remarked Jack.
"And by that you mean you expect to go along. I won't let you do anything
of the kind. Even if they allowed us to pass by, don't you think they'd
be apt to take it out of you when you returned alone? No, I'm your
superior officer, and I order you to stop right here where you belong;
do you understand, Jack?"
"Well," grumbled Jack, shaking his head as if convinced against his will;
"I know you too well to try and go up against you when your mind's made
up; but just the same I think it's a mean shame that you won't let me
walk home with you. Think if they did jump out at us what a jolly time
we'd have handing 'em more than they expected."
"Give it up, old fellow. But I tell you what I can do. You remember that
baseball bat of mine that's been lying over here so long? I'll carry it
home now, and save you the trouble, thank you," nodded Paul.
"Bully! a good idea. Here it is behind the door. And Paul, don't spare
the measly bunch; but whack 'em good and hard."