Four Boy Hunters Part 25

"Here's a fine can of condensed milk," said another, helping himself liberally.

"I found some fine sardines," put in still another. "And here is a tin of fancy crackers."

"And some good cheese. Say, boys, they must be living pretty well, eh?"

So the talk ran on, while the Ham Spink crowd ate whatever they desired. As the meal progressed, they grew reckless and began to throw things around, so that more than a quarter of the stores were literally wasted.

After the meal was over the boys set to work to hide what remained of the stores, in the brushwood back of the camp. They carried everything out of the cabin, even to the blankets and extra clothing.

Some clothing was thrown high into a tree and some shoes were placed under a flat rock.

It was not until four in the afternoon that Ham Spink and his cronies began to think of getting back to their own camp. They were all in rare good humor, thinking they had accomplished something wonderfully smart.

"We must watch for the return of Snap Dodge and his chums," said Ham.

"To be sure," put in d.i.c.k Bush. "Won't their eyes open when they see this! I just guess!"

"Finest trick I ever played in my life, don't you know," drawled one of the dudish boys.

The fire was kicked out and they took themselves to their boat. A strong wind was coming up, ruffling the surface of Firefly Lake.

"Wish we didn't have to row in the wind," said Ham Spink.

"We can take our time," said another.

They were a lazy, idle set, and wrangled over the question of who should row the boat. At last it was decided that all should take a turn, and they started.

The wind was increasing every minute, and no sooner were they out on the lake than the full blast caused the waves to dash over the side.

"Hi! I don't like this!" cried one of the boys, in alarm. "The boat may go over-----"

"Well, we have got to get back to our camp," said Ham, in dismay. He did not like the roughness himself.

To keep the water from coming into the boat they had to row into the wind, and this took them some distance away from their camp. Even as it was, every boy got more or less wet, which put them in an ill humor.

"I didn't calculate on this when I started out," grumbled one, as he surveyed his fancy outing costume. "I'll have to have these pressed again before long," and he sighed.

There was a point of land around which the wind was sweeping at a furious pace, and to avoid this spot, they decided to tie up their boat in a safe cove and walk to their camp through the woods.

"It's blowing up another storm," said one of the boys. "I think it will rain to-night, and rain hard."

"Won't those other fellows enjoy it---if they can't find their things!"

"The things will get wet."

"Humph! what do we care?" grumbled Ham Spink.

"Maybe they'll make us pay for anything that is spoiled."

"I shan't pay a cent!"

"Nor I!" came from several.

The walk through the brushwood and over the rocks was not so pleasant, and all of the dudish boys were glad when they at last came in sight of the spot where their own camp was located.

"It's growing awfully dark," said one. "And just listen to that wind! It's a regular gale!"

The wind was indeed blowing a gale and all of the boys hurried forward faster than ever, until they stood in the midst of their camp.

Then, with startled eyes, they gazed around quickly, and a howl of dismay went up.

"What does this mean?"

"All of our best things are gone!"

"Yes, and the best of the eating, too!"

"Somebody has been here while we were away!"

"I see what it means !" cried Ham Spink, in a great rage. "While we were at the other camp those fellows came here and fixed things up as you see!"

CHAPTER XIX

ANOTHER HUNT AFTER DEER

All unconscious of what was taking place during their absence, Snap and his chums went on their way, in the direction in which Shep had spotted the deer.

Having learned a few points from Jed Sanborn, they kept to the trail and made sure that the wind was not blowing from them to the game they hoped to lay low.

It was a rough and laborious climb up the mountainside, and once they missed the trail and got into a pocket so that they could go no further. Then, on turning back, Shep saw two magnificent wild turkeys and was strongly tempted to bring one of them down.

"If you do, you'll scare the deer sure," said Whopper.

"I know it but if we miss the deer I'll be sorry I didn't take this shot."

"Well, that's the gamble in hunting," put in Giant. "I saw a rabbit awhile ago I could have had for the asking."

Having gotten out of the pocket, they went on once more, and shortly before noon reached a k.n.o.b of the mountain. From that point they made out nine or ten deer a distance to the north of them.

"This is certainly a great chance," said Snap, enthusiastically. "We don't want to miss it by carelessness. Remember what Jed Sanborn told us."

All looked to their firearms, and then went forward with scarcely a word. Coming to the last fringe of brushwood, they got down on their hands and knees and moved on until the game was brought once more into view.

The shot offered was certainly a good one, and in a few whispered words the young hunters decided what they would do. Each was to aim at his own deer and fire as many shots as he pleased. They took their positions, and Snap asked if they were ready. A dead silence followed.

"Fire!"