THE WIRELESS IN THE WILDERNESS
The sun had hardly touched with gold the tops of the mountains before
Bob felt a light touch on his arm. He opened his eyes to see Mr.
Waterman with his hands to his lips in token of silence. He arose
quietly and with a surge of pride and joy in his heart, for he felt that
he was to be permitted to go on the expedition in search of the thief.
"Bring along your sleeping bag," said Mr. Waterman, when Bob got out of
the tent.
"Are we leaving right away?" asked Bob.
"Yes, just as soon as Jack can rustle a cup of coffee and something to
eat for us. He'll be ready as soon as we can get our things in shape."
Bob hustled back to the tent and very quietly got his sleeping bag ready
for travel. He made a neat pack of it and hurried over to the grub tent.
Jack and Pierre were serving Mr. Waterman already so that Bob got a
hasty breakfast. He enjoyed it, for there was an atmosphere of
suppressed excitement that was altogether new to him. Ten minutes later
they were getting into two canoes. When Bob reappeared with his pack and
his gun, Mr. Waterman asked,
"What are you going to do with that gun?"
"I don't know," said Bob. "I saw that you all had guns and so I toted
mine along."
"Now I know you're excited," said Mr. Waterman. "When a Southerner
begins to talk about 'you all' and 'toting' things, he's just plain
excited."
Bob just laughed quietly, for he knew that Mr. Waterman was right.
They at last got away without waking up the two boys.
"I bet Pud and Bill will be mad as sin when they find me gone with you,"
said Bob to Mr. Waterman.
"Yes, I suppose that they would like to come, but you know we may run
into trouble of some kind and in that case, it will be best not to have
too many along," replied Mr. Waterman.
"I can't make this out," said Jack. "There is something amiss, for every
one knows that in this country, all one has to do is to ask and any grub
that one has will be shared."
"Bad man," said Pierre. "He no have to steal if he not be bad."
"You may be right," said Mr. Waterman.
By this time they were on the first portage. When they came to the place
where Bob had noticed the tracks, Pierre and Jack stopped and examined
them attentively.
"He no want to be seen," said Pierre.
"He's a corking good woodsman," said Jack.
"You're both right," replied Mr. Waterman. "Later on, we shall see how
clever he is in concealing a trail."
When they came to the second lake, Mr. Waterman remarked to Bob that he
would paddle down the north end of the lake to see if either Jack or
Pierre would notice the trail. This they did and despite the sharp eyes
of the two guides, they did not notice any trail starting from the
water's edge. Mr. Waterman led them back and taking a line on a very big
tamarack tree that he had noted before, they got out of their canoes.
They had gone only a few rods to the left when they came to what was
evidently a new trail. They had gone only a short distance when Pierre
stopped and remarked that he was sure that no canoe had been brought
over the trail. When Mr. Waterman heard this, he had the men retrace
their steps to the lake. They then began a systematic search for a
canoe. In about twenty minutes, Jack's sharp eyes searched out the
hiding place and the canoe was pulled out for inspection. They found it
to be an ordinary Peterboro, such as were to be found all through the
country.
"If he's left his canoe here," said Mr. Waterman, "he can't be very far
off."
"That's so," said Pierre.
"We had better go careful," said Jack.
All four then looked to their guns and took the trail, with Mr. Waterman
leading. He went along very carefully. In an hour they were over the
divide and going down into what seemed like a deep gulch.
"This looks to me like the same gulch we visited the other day," said
Mr. Waterman.
"I am sure of it," said Bob. "Then, I noticed that big rock over there."
"What's peculiar about that rock?" asked Jack.
"It looks like a big horse," said Bob. "I am sure that it's the same
one."
"It does look like a horse," said Mr. Waterman. "I know the far side of
this gulch pretty well, but I did not think that there was any way out
of it so easy as the one we have come."
They then proceeded very cautiously. Mr. Waterman gave way to Pierre,
who went ahead without any noise. Bob tried to imitate his movements but
he felt angry at himself, for he made a great noise as he went along. He
now knew why Mr. Waterman had hesitated at bringing him. He did the very
best he could and followed along, feeling the excitement tugging at his
heart. Mr. Waterman and the two guides moved like shadows before him and
only by the sudden gleam in their eyes could he see that they were at
all excited. At last Pierre came back a step or two and put his fingers
to his lips in token of silence.
"A log cabin not far ahead," said he to Mr. Waterman very quietly.
Mr. Waterman and Jack went ahead very stealthily, and they came back in
a moment.
"I guess we've treed our coon," said Mr. Waterman. "Now, how shall we
catch him?"
"I go," said Pierre. "I make believe that I'm just an Indian fishing and
I come back 'bimby.'"
"That's a pretty good plan," said Mr. Waterman.
They watched Pierre disappear through the bushes and then settled down
to wait. In only about twenty minutes Pierre returned. They were all
surprised to see him so soon.
"No one at cabin," said Pierre, as he came up.
"How long since has there been some one there?" asked Mr. Waterman.
"Only short time. He come back any time now."
In a few minutes they were all in the house with the exception of
Pierre, who stayed outside to keep an eye on things. As soon as they
entered Mr. Waterman and Bob at once noticed that this was no Indian's
hut nor that of the ordinary woodsman. The room was as neat as a pin.
This was rather out of the ordinary for a cabin in the woods. But what
attracted the attention of both of them was the sight of several
chemical and wireless instruments that both recognized at once.
"What's this?" said Mr. Waterman. "I'm not much on wireless, but I know
that this is part of a wireless plant."
"You're right," said Bob. "I have one of them on my aerial for my
wireless at home. This is merely for receiving."
"Now, what do you think any one would want with a wireless outfit away
back here in the woods?" asked Mr. Waterman, more to himself than to
Bob.
"Do you think it has anything to do with the great European war that is
raging at this time?" said Bob.
"That's the natural explanation, of course," said Mr. Waterman.
"But what's the use of a wireless up here?" asked Bob in his turn.
"You think that this is only a receiving station. Perhaps this is run by
some German spy to discover just when the troop ships are leaving Quebec
for England."
"If that's so," said Jack, who had not said a word so far, but who had
followed the conversation very closely, "we are likely to run into
trouble, for any one that would do a thing of this kind would not
hesitate to go to the limit."
"That's very true," said Mr. Waterman reflectively. "At the same time, I
hardly see why we should run into danger, as we are Americans."
"I think that we have to get a look at this fellow and let him know that
after a certain date we shall be obliged to let the Canadian Government
know what is going on. Otherwise, if the Canadian Police run down this
fellow, they may find out that we have been here and then arrest us as
accomplices," said Bob.
"The boy's right," said Jack. "And it would be a hanging job for us if
they proved that we knew what was going on here and did not notify the
constable."
Further conversation was cut short by a shot outside, followed almost
immediately by another. Hurried footsteps were heard and a big fellow
rushed in and closed the door.
"Hands up!" cried Mr. Waterman, as he leveled his gun at the stranger.
The latter made a quick movement, but a spurt of flame from Jack's rifle
was followed by the clatter of the stranger's rifle as it fell to the
floor. Coming in from the outside, the newcomer seemed to be unable to
see clearly.
"Disarm him," said Mr. Waterman to Jack, who moved over and removed a
revolver from the hip of the owner of the hut.
"Well, what is it?" asked the man defiantly. "It took you a long time to
find out this little place, didn't it?"
"We're Americans," said Mr. Waterman. "It is quite plain to any one of
intelligence what you are here for. At the same time, I'm very much
mistaken if you're not an American yourself, or at least passed for such
until this war broke out. You know too much about the woods to be a
native born German."
"You're right," said the man, as he lowered his arms. "I'm from the
West, and I'm an American, but in the pay of Germany--and have
established my post here."
"You, of course, know that you must get out of here at once," continued
Mr. Waterman. "I don't think that it is our duty to take you in, though
Pierre, who is just coming, is a Canadian. There is the other door.
Here's your gun. We'll hold Pierre for a few minutes and then let him do
what he thinks best."
"You're all right, men. I thought that the Canadian police had me, as
they probably have my companions."
In a second he was out of the door and away down the trail. The members
of the party waited for Pierre. He came in very shortly and looked
around with great surprise.
"Where is he?" asked he, as he looked around in astonishment. "I trail
him here. You let him go?"
"Yes, we let him go," said Mr. Waterman.
"Why for dat?" asked the Indian. "He bad man. He shoot at me twice but
no hit me."
"He was here trying to get news for the Germans," said Mr. Waterman.
"How he get news here? No news here. What news?"
"I could not make you understand," said Mr. Waterman.
"Why not understand?" asked Pierre.
"Have you ever heard that it is possible to speak miles and miles
through the air?"
"Yes, Great Spirit speaks to all his children all over," said Pierre
devoutly.
"I don't mean the Great Spirit, but men, just like you and I."
"Oh, no, no, that impossible," said Pierre.
"It is done, and this man was here listening, so that he would know
things and then tell the enemies of Canada."
"I no understand. What enemies?" asked Pierre.
"Have you not heard that England and Canada are at war with the
Germans?" asked Mr. Waterman.
"Oh, yes, but that is far across the Big Water," said Pierre.
"Quite true, but the Germans are over here too. In some places, trying
to do harm to Canada," said Mr. Waterman.
"This bad man, a German?" asked Pierre, as his eyes lighted up.
"Yes," replied Bob.
"Where he go?" asked Pierre.
"We, Americans, have no war with Germans. He goes that way," said Mr.
Waterman, pointing up the trail. In another moment Pierre was lost to
view.
"What do you think of that?" said Jack. "I think I'll tag along behind
for fear he gets hurt."
"Things certainly have come with a rush," said Mr. Waterman. "Suppose
you follow Pierre, so that if the German gets him that you will be there
to lend aid."
"I'll be there," said Jack, as he looked significantly at his rifle.
"That skunk fired twice at Pierre already. He may get him the third
time. If he does, I'll take only one shot."
"Don't run into trouble, Jack," said Mr. Waterman. "This is not our
fight. But follow Pierre and help him if he gets into trouble. Bob and I
will get down to Escoumains and report the matter."
The two men shook hands and Jack disappeared after Pierre just as
quickly and as silently as the latter had done.
"That will be some chase," said Mr. Waterman. "That German is a real
woodsman and he'll lead them a merry chase."
"It's a pity that Jack did not go with Pierre. How is he going to find
him?"
"Leave that to him," said Mr. Waterman. "There are few Indians more
clever than Jack in following a trail. He'll be up with Pierre by
nightfall."
They then looked around and were surprised at the completeness of the
outfit. Evidently four or five men had been needed to get all these
things into the woods.
"How they ever got all this stuff here without arousing the suspicion of
the Canadian Government passes my comprehension," said Mr. Waterman.
Going outside, they noticed a path, and following it, if soon led them
to the top of a mountain that was opposite to the one they had climbed
but a few short days before. Sure enough, there was the wireless, hidden
most cleverly by the trees and branches so that from the opposite hill;
nothing out of the ordinary could be seen even with a glass.
"This is rather an old instrument," said Bob. "It is dated 1912."
"That may explain the whole matter," said Mr. Waterman. "It is well
known that the Germans have a wonderful spy system. It is possible that
all this may have been brought in here four or five years ago for this
very purpose."
"I guess that that's the answer," replied Bob, "for it would be
absolutely impossible for any party of men to get this stuff in here
now."
On returning to the hut they took a good look around and found
everything in the best of order. There were supplies of all kinds there
except food.
"I guess that the Canadian Government got his mates all right, and that
left him stranded here as far as grub was concerned. He had his nerve
with him all right, for he was liable to be shot down at any time," said
Mr. Waterman.
They were soon on their way back. When they came to the lake they found
that the German's canoe was gone. Pierre was evidently right on his
trail, for one of the two canoes they had brought along was also
missing.
"I wonder if Jack has caught up with Pierre so soon," mused Mr.
Waterman.
"It looks that way," replied Bob, "for otherwise he would probably have
taken our canoe, knowing that we could get back to camp even without a
canoe."
"You're right," said Mr. Waterman.
They hurried on and in due time they arrived in camp. By this time it
was getting late, so they determined to go into Escoumains the next
morning and inform the authorities of their discovery. They found Bill
and Pud and Jean quite excited. In a short time they had the story in
full.
"You did not see any one around here to-day, did you?" asked Mr.
Waterman, addressing the young Indian Jean.
"No," was the reply.
"I am pretty sure that the German is making for the St. Lawrence to try
and get out of the country. Let's go over to the old trail, just to see
if any one has passed that way to-day," said Mr. Waterman.
All of them went, for the trail was only a few minutes' paddle down the
lake around a point of land that almost cut the lake in two. On arrival
there it was plain even to the unpracticed eyes of the boys that more
than one person had passed that way recently. Mr. Waterman and Jean
landed first. Jean had been on land not more than a minute before he
pointed to some tracks and said,
"Pierre here, Jack there, other man there."
They boys came over, but though they could see some tracks in the soft
trail, they did not see how Jean had identified his father and Jack at
once.
"You're right," said Mr. Waterman. "Three men have passed this way
to-day. It looks as if Pierre and jack are hot on his trail."
They then returned to camp. Bob was compelled to tell his mates all
about the trip, and they were greatly excited when they were told of the
scene in the hut when it was necessary to hold up the German in
self-defense at the point of a rifle.
When Bob and Mr. Waterman arrived in Escouniaias early the next
morning-they found things in a great state of excitement. It seems that
Pierre and Jack had gotten in about nine o'clock the night before, hot
on the trail of the spy. To the chagrin of Sandy MacPherson, an old
friend of his named Field, had come into the store and without showing
any signs of haste had made arrangements for a launch to take him down
the river. This had been done and a half hour later Pierre had arrived.
He had tried to explain the situation, but it was not until Jack had
given his version of the matter that it dawned on the irate Sandy that
the innocent-looking and very friendly Field was the German spy. When
Mr. Waterman had told all that he knew about the matter Sandy was
angrier than ever.
"That son-of-a-gun has played me for an easy mark for years," said
Sandy. "About three years ago he got me to take into the woods a lot of
electrical stuff on the pretense that he wanted it in trying out some
ores that he thought were valuable. Then to put me farther off the
scent, two years ago he came back with a story that his whole outfit had
been burned down and totally destroyed."
"Have the Government agents been here?" asked Mr. Waterman.
"No," was the reply, "but they were up at Tadousac about six weeks ago,
and they arrested three men there, though they held them only on
suspicion. When I come to think of it, one of them was a Mr. Samson that
used to come into the woods with Field. I think that Samson is still
held and he'll get his share anyway."
The party, having told their end of the story, returned to the woods.
Some three weeks later, on returning to Escoumains, they found out that
Field had apparently made good his escape. He had landed near Riviere de
Loup, and no doubt had gotten over into the United States from there.