CHAPTER VIIBOB'S CLUE
A week quickly sped with short trips here and there—a restful week for them all, yet a week in which the boys learned more fully the woodman's ways. For one thing they were becoming expert fishers and rapidly improving in portaging. Even the two older men noticed how the boys were so quickly becoming adapted to the rough life.
"I think you boys are getting into good enough shape to warrant a week's trip away from the home camp," said Mr. Waterman one morning.
"I'm game," said Bill.
"So am I," said Bob and Pud together.
"Good! Why not go down then and climb that mountain from which one can see so many lakes?" queried Mr. Anderson.
"All right. That would be a beautiful trip," said Mr. Waterman.
"That sounds fine," said the three boys.
A half hour later, they were off in two canoes, and they paddled down to the far end of the lake.
"Stick together, fellows," said Mr. Waterman. "We are going by the compass and there won't be any trail. It's the easiest thing in the world to get lost here and I can tell you that it's the hardest thing in all creation to find your way back again, for all these mountains look alike."
"I've noticed that," said Pud, as they all got out of their canoes.
The party swung off and made their way through the woods skirting the lower part of the mountain. At last,Mr. Waterman began to climb and the boys soon found that this was quite some mountain they were on. It went up interminably. On they plodded and at last they came to a very steep part just before reaching the summit. Mr. Waterman led the way. In a short time, they were climbing straight up the side of the rocks. It was hard and exciting work and more than once, Mr. Waterman turned and looked around carefully.
"Can we make it here?" asked Mr. Anderson in his quiet tones.
"I think so," replied Mr. Waterman. "I thought that this was the place we came up last summer but evidently it isn't."
Up they climbed.
"That old Mont Blanc hasn't anything on this for steepness," said Bob as they stopped for rest.
"I think I can see the top now," said Mr. Waterman. "We either have to go on or go back to where we started up. I think that we can make it, but be careful."
By this time, they were climbing almost perpendicularly up the cliff. There was no trail and they wound back and forth and at times had to help each other up from rock to rock. As they neared the top, the rocks became more brittle and it was necessary to try the rocks above before trusting their weight to them. Once when they strung out down the mountain for a hundred feet or more, Mr. Waterman, who was leading, broke off a big rock just as he reached a higher altitude. He shouted and every one below ducked. It went right over Mr. Anderson's head and crashed down the side of the mountain.
"Steady, steady," said Mr. Anderson. "Don't kick up such a fuss."
"That was a close call both for you and me," said Mr. Waterman.
Once again before they reached the top they started rocks down the mountain side but no one was hurt. At last they reached the top and the view they had more thanrepaid them for their exertions. This point was the highest elevation in that part of the country and they could see for many miles the cool, green, yet solemn-looking forests; the many lakes which reflected the clear blue sapphire sky, speckled with fleecy white clouds. They counted over thirty lakes. After enjoying the beauties of the view, they started down again.
"We'll go down the natural slope of the mountain and then work back around the bottom to our lake," said Mr. Waterman.
"Then you can't heave any more rocks at us," laughed Pud.
They walked on for at least an hour and at last Mr. Waterman said:
"We are now in our own valley. The small stream at the bottom of this mountain runs from our lake so if any of you should get lost, just follow the stream and you'll come out all right."
This proved very good advice for after a half hour's walk, Pud fell behind and before Bob knew it, the others were lost ahead. They yelled but there was no reply.
"Let's take a short cut," said Pud.
"How's that?" asked Bob.
"We'll go down the mountain and then follow that stream as Mr. Waterman told us to."
"All right," said Bob.
Down they started and they soon came to the stream. They then had an argument as to whether Mr. Waterman had said that the stream emptied into their lake or ran from it. At last Bob said, "I remember distinctly that Mr. Waterman said that this stream runs out of our lake so I'm going this way."
"All right," said Pud. "I know you're wrong, but if I don't go with you, you'll get lost for good, so lead the way."
The undergrowth near the stream was rank, as might be expected, and the boys made slow progress. Afterabout an hour's walk they stopped, as they felt sure they should have been at the lake.
"We should have been there long ago," said Pud.
"I think we ought to be there soon," said Bob.
"We'll never get there going this way," said Pud.
"This is the right way all right for I noticed that we went generally in an easterly direction coming here and we have been going west for some time. Let's hustle on."
They did so and neither spoke a word for some time. At last they both paused, startled, for they heard a crashing in the bushes up the stream. They darted into the woods as quietly as they could and looked out. The crashing continued and came their way. Finally, as they looked out they saw that it was a man and they both gave a shout. This was answered at once by Mr. Anderson's cheery voice. Pud's short cut had proved a very long way home. Bill and the two leaders had gone around the foot of the mountain and had saved a long distance in that way. After reaching the lake they had waited there for some time and at last Mr. Anderson, remembering the instructions that Mr. Waterman had given, had started down the stream to find them. He said that they did not have a very long distance to go.
Mr. Anderson's appearance had acted like a tonic and the boys followed him eagerly. They soon heard voices and in a moment more they saw Mr. Waterman and Bill sitting on a big log by the shore of the lake right near where the stream ran from the lake. Bill kidded Bob and Pud about getting lost.
"I didn't get lost," replied Bob. "Pud thought that by going down into the valley and then up the stream that we would beat you here."
"It was much longer," said Mr. Waterman. "We merely skirted the edge of the mountain and came here almost directly."
"It's a good thing that Bob was with me," said Pud.
"How so?" asked Mr. Anderson.
"I got mixed up when I got to the stream and I wanted to go down the stream instead of up," replied Pud.
"Well, why didn't you then?" asked Bill.
"Bob was sure we had to go up stream and he insisted on going in that direction," admitted Pud.
"You have to use your old bean up here," said Bill. "When in doubt, Pud, leave it to Bob. He's full of gray matter whereas—"
"Don't 'whereas' any more, Bill, or I'll give you a ducking," said Pud, as he cornered Bill so that if he rushed him, he would have to go out into the lake.
"All right, all right," said Bill. "I'll keep my further remarks about beans, mentality, cerebellum, etc., until we're ready for the swim."
"You'd better," said Pud strongly.
They all then got into their canoes and got back to camp to find there an air of mystery that was noted at once by their leaders and shortly later by the boys. Joe got Mr. Waterman aside right away and what he had to say made him look very serious. Just then Jack came up and Mr. Waterman listened to him very carefully. Mr. Anderson was called over and the boys saw the four of them talking very seriously together.
"I wonder what's up," said Bob. "Something has gone wrong but I don't see anything the matter with the camp, do you?"
"Not a thing," replied Bill. Pud looked around in his easy-going fashion, just as if nothing could disturb him anyway.
Mr. Anderson and Mr. Waterman did not offer any explanation when they came back to the boys and they soon were in the water having a fine swim. Later on they found that in some mysterious way a bag of flour, a fitch of bacon, a small bag of salt, and a few other small articles had been taken from the cook tent. Mr. Waterman feltsure that he could rely on the honesty of his guides and he was greatly mystified.
"It beats me," said Mr. Waterman. "If an Indian or a stray fisherman really needed grub, he would know that we would be perfectly willing to help him out. No one ever refuses hospitality in the woods."
"I can't make it out either," said Mr. Anderson.
"Perhaps it was a bear," said Pud with one of his great inspirations.
"Why to be sure," said Bill. "These bears up here have regular pouches like the Australian kangaroo and I'll bet if we could see mother bear just now she'd be waddling up some rocky place, her pouch filled with flour, bacon, salt and other dainties for the little cubbies."
Everybody laughed at this but no one had any further suggestion.
"I really can't figure it out," said Mr. Waterman, more seriously. "The worst of it is that this is not the first time this has happened. We have said nothing about it but the same thing happened about ten days ago. Then we scoured the camp and could not find a trace of the thief. Jack tells me that the four of them have been all over the lake to every trail and that they have seen nothing."
"Let's organize a real hunt after lunch," said Bob eagerly.
"That's just what I was thinking of doing," replied Mr. Waterman.
Everything was hurried through. Bob and Pud forgot the weariness they had felt while lost that morning. Four different parties hurried away after they had eaten. Bob and Mr. Waterman went together and they made for the trail that led up north.
"I figure it out," said Mr. Waterman, "that whoever it is that has been at our cook tent came from the north."
"How so?" asked Bob.
"Well, it isn't far to Escoumains and any one in real trouble would find food there. It's probably some stray Indian who is afraid of being arrested for some crime if he goes back to the settlements. I can't figure out anything else."
"Did you bring a gun along?" asked Bob rather anxiously.
"No," said Mr. Waterman. "We won't need any gun if we catch up with this fellow. But first of all let us get some trace of him."
They soon reached the beginning of the portage. They got out and searched carefully. They saw tracks, to be sure, for they had been over there just a few days before. No new tracks were to be seen. At last, Mr. Waterman picked up the canoe and said, "Let's go on over the divide. Keep your eye peeled for recent marks. If he came over here with a canoe, he will probably slip or slide some place. Look for his tracks at the sides of the trail."
They went along at a slow pace. More than once Mr. Waterman stopped and set down the canoe, only to pick it up a moment later and go on along the trail. Just after they had reached the top of the divide in a very steep place, Bob noticed a place near the side of the trail that was trampled down. Mr. Waterman set down the canoe and came back. After carefully looking at the bushes, he said,
"I think that you're right, Bob. He evidently got off his balance here and not wishing to make a bad slide on the trail, has stepped off in the bushes."
"It looks to me as if he had tried to cover this up too," said Bob. "Look at this small branch. It was bent right over and evidently some one has tried to straighten it out."
Mr. Waterman bent over and exclaimed,
"You're right, Bob. This is the way he came."
The two then went on, but though they watched very carefully, they could not find a single further trace of the man they were seeking. They soon came to the little lakethey had been on before. Mr. Waterman led the way and they got out at the further end as if both had agreed that the fugitive was heading for the north and would take this course.
"Now if we can get another trace of this son-of-a-gun on this portage, I'll bet some money that I know where he is staying," said Mr. Waterman.
This time Bob carried the canoe and Mr. Waterman went ahead. It was not until they had come almost to the next lake that Mr. Waterman noticed a tree from which a piece of bark had been chipped off.
"That's funny," said he.
"What's funny?" asked Bob, who looked all around but could note nothing out of the way.
"That tree," replied Mr. Waterman. "That piece of bark was knocked off by something out of the ordinary."
"Maybe he bumped into it with his canoe," replied Bob.
"Hardly," replied Mr. Waterman. "A real woodsman does not bump his canoe into trees and other things along the trail. He avoids them by instinct."
"That is probably true," said Bob, "but the only time he could steal those things from camp would be at night, and he might hit a tree then."
"You're right," said Mr. Waterman.
Once more they emerged at a lake. This one was fairly large. They paddled slowly around it but could see no sign of a trail except the one at the far end. This was a long trail over a low divide and Mr. Waterman did not seem to want to start on it.
"I don't want to set out on this trail because it is about five miles long and we could not get home to-night. Anyway, I have a hunch that this fellow has piked off to the north. It's the easiest thing in the world to cover up a trail. Let's go around this north end of the lake again."
They did so but without any success.
"I guess we're stumped," said Bob.
"Not on your life," replied Mr. Waterman. "That hunch of mine grows more insistent every minute. I tell you what I'll do. Let me out here. I'll tramp around this north shore and if he has any hidden trail, I'll probably cross it sooner or later."
Bob paddled to the shore of the lake and Mr. Waterman got out. Bob then paddled slowly along the shore. He expecting to keep in touch with Mr. Waterman by the noise he would make as he broke through the bushes. But not so. Mr. Waterman had been schooled for many years by the Indians and he had many of their accomplishments. One of these was his ability to move through the woods with very little noise. The consequence was that the leafy background of the little lake swallowed up Mr. Waterman and not a sound was heard. The stillness seemed oppressive to Bob as he slowly paddled to the other end of the lake. He had been there some time when he was startled by hearing Mr. Waterman say in his usual calm tones,
"I've found it. My hunch was working properly."
"Let's follow it right away," said Bob eagerly.
"No," was the reply. "It will keep. We have just time to get back to camp for a late supper. I'll take Pierre and Jack to-morrow and we'll ferret out this matter."
"Can't I go along too?" asked Bob.
"No, I think that it would be best for just the three of us to go," replied Mr. Waterman.
"I hope you change your mind about that," said Bob. "I really think that I might be of some use. I hardly like to ask you to remember that I was the first to notice his tracks on the portage."
"You're too modest, Bob," replied Mr. Waterman. "You certainly have sharp eyes and know how to use them. I'll think it over and if possible I'll take you with me. I am afraid that there may be some trouble and, of course, I don't want to have anything happen to you."
"I'm part Irish," said Bob.
"What's that?" asked Mr. Waterman.
"I said that I was part Irish and you know that a real Irishman always likes to be along when there's likely to be trouble."
"You're part Irish all right," said Mr. Waterman. "I think you've kissed the blarney stone some time."
"That I did," replied Bob, merrily. "I can remember my father holding me down from the tower by my heels to kiss the stone. If there's any virtue in having kissed the famous stone, I ought to have my share, for I skinned both my knee and my nose in doing the stunt."
"I didn't know that you had ever been in Ireland," said Mr. Waterman.
"Oh, yes, my father took me there one summer when I was a little fellow," replied Bob, innocent enough.
In the meantime they had reached the head of the lake. Mr. Waterman made off at once with the canoe as he said that they would be late for supper if they didn't hurry. He kept Bob hustling to keep up with him, stopping only once on the way. That was on the last portage when they came to the spot where Bob had noted the trampled bushes. Mr. Waterman looked very carefully at the marks and went on apparently satisfied.
"What did you notice this time that you didn't observe before?" asked Bob.
"Not very much," replied Mr. Waterman, "but enough to convince me that there was only one person over the trail."
"Well, if that's the case," said Bob, "surely there won't be much danger in my going with you to-morrow."
"Why not? There might be four or five in this party for all we know," answered Mr. Waterman.
"That's so," said Bob.
"I'm inclined to take you along for you have very good sense about most things, I notice," said Mr. Waterman, half to himself.
Bob blushed up to the ears at hearing this praise from his leader.
"I'm sure, I'll try to be useful if you take me along," said Bob.
They were soon down on the shore of their own lake and they could hear the shouts of Bill and Pud as they wallowed in the water.
"The rest of them are back," said Mr. Waterman.
"I wonder if Pud found any traces of his bear thief," laughed Bob.
As they came to the landing, the guides ran down eager to hear the news.
"We found his trail," said Mr. Waterman. "Get the guns ready, Pierre and Jack, and we'll go after the son-of-a-gun to-morrow."
"Did you see him?" asked Jack.
"No," said Mr. Waterman. "We just picked up his trail. I think I know where he is, but you had better put together enough grub to last us a week, for we don't know where he may be."
"All right," replied Jack. "We'll be ready."
Bob had to tell his various experiences to the boys, who listened with bated breath. On their part they had little to relate. They had gone out to the trails agreed on but could find no trace whatever of any stranger. They had arrived only a short time before Bob had shown up.
"Ye gods, but I'm hungry," sighed Pud.
"You haven't anything on me," said Bob. "That Mr. Waterman is some 'moose.' He tears along like a steam engine and never seems to get tired."
"I noticed that the other day," said Pud. "He had me puffing and blowing going up that mountain and he was breathing like a sleeping child."
Just then, tang! tang! tang! tang! went the stick against the wash pan in Jack's hands and the boys made a rushfor the table. They did more than justice to the great bill of fare prepared for them by Jack. Trout after trout, hot from the pan, disappeared like magic, not to speak of the hot biscuits and the apricots for dessert.
"How did you get these apricots up here?" asked Pud. "I'd think they would be too heavy to carry."
"They would be if we brought in the canned variety," said Mr. Anderson. "But, thank you, we have plenty of good 'aqua pura' here without bringing in canned pears and such things."
"Well, how do you have them, then?" asked Bill.
"We bring in the dried fruit," replied Mr. Anderson. "This is very light and easily carried. We'll have our share of fruit here this summer all right. The only thing we won't get much of is fresh meat and that you can't get even at Escoumains every day."
"A few partridges now and then will help along the fresh meat problem," said Bob.
"You bet," said Pud, licking his lips. "That partridge stew last week was as fine as anything to be had at the Bellevue-Stratford or Kugler's in Philadelphia."
They had had a very strenuous day and they were all ready for bed. The morrows's expedition had livened their imaginations and they sat around the fire chatting and talking until the moon came out over the edge of the opposite mountain and warned them that it was time to seek their balsam boughs.
CHAPTER VIIITHE 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 thelake. 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 wasconcerned. 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 usedto 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.
CHAPTER IXA WEEK ON THE TRAIL
The previous days had been so full of excitement that they had altogether forgotten that they were to go on a week's trip. Mr. Waterman went ahead making preparations. On Sunday evening, after the short devotions they always held on that day, said he:
"Boys, you remember that we are going on an exploring trip this week. So get ready. You will have to carry everything with you, so take those things that are absolutely necessary. In addition, remember that each of you boys is expected to carry his share of the grub for the week."
The boys began to plan and they went to their blankets filled with the idea of taking a real trip under old-time voyageur conditions.
"Supposing it rains?" suggested Pud.
"Well, what of it?" replied Bob. "Do you think that we're sugar and that a little rain will hurt us?"
"Don't worry very much," said Mr. Waterman. "If we have any really bad weather you will be surprised how quickly the guides will make a wood hut out of birch bark, and a few supports quickly cut in the woods."
Very early the next morning they were astir. Bob had to give many suggestions to Pud and Bill, too, but at last they had their duffle all ready so that by means of tump lines they could not only bear their own blankets and sleeping bags, but also their share of the week's supplies.
"We are going north," said Mr. Waterman.
"Let's go to the spy's cabin," said Pud.
"Ah, do," chimed in Bill. "You see, Pud and I had no part in that adventure."
"Very well," said Mr. Waterman, "it won't be a bad thing for us to go there and see how much of the place the Government agents have left."
"Have the police been there?" asked Bob.
"You can bet they've been there," said Mr. Waterman. "A party left Escoumains the very day we were there."
They were a picturesque party as they set out. Pierre was the only one left behind. Jean, Jack and Joe were there; Joe with his little pointed hat, mackinaw and shoe pack, looking all the world like the pictures of the old voyageurs that one sees in the illustrations of the early French occupation of Canada. With the three guides, Mr. Waterman, Mr. Anderson, and the three boys, there were eight in the party. Mr. Waterman led the way, taking Bob in his canoe. Jack had Pud with him, Jean was paired with Bill, while Mr. Anderson and Joe brought up the "honorable rear," as they say in Japan. In their blue shirts, khaki trousers, bandanna handkerchiefs around their necks and shoe packs, they looked ready to tackle a journey to James Bay. In fact, Jean and Joe had both made the trip to James Bay and back, over the Great Divide almost due north of Tadousac, going first up the St. John River from Chicoutimi. They would have been quite willing to make the trip again but, no doubt, they would have objected to the presence of the boys on such a trip. Such a canoe journey needs real woodsmen and is not for novices such as the boys were.
They were soon over into the lake from which the path led to the spy's cabin. Mr. Waterman steered straight for the trail. They got out and were soon over the short divide and into the big gulch. They found the cabin still standing and apparently with everything just as it had been left by them. When, however, they came to the wireless on the top of the mountain, they could not find a traceof it. It had been taken away entirely. The boys enjoyed the view from the top of the mountain.
"I almost believe that in clear weather Field and his mates could recognize the ships on the St. Lawrence if they had strong glasses, as they most probably had," said Mr. Waterman.
"Yes, it's so clear to-day," said Mr. Anderson, "that your idea seems not only possible but very probable. This was a very fine place for such a purpose. They could read the wireless messages that were sent from vessels going or coming from Quebec, and if they could get out to the United States now and then they could very easily keep their Government informed as to the movements of the British vessels, at least the most important vessels plying in and out of Quebec."
In a short time they were down the mountain and at the cabin once more.
"I must come in here some time and look for the outlet of this gulch," said Mr. Waterman. "There is quite a big watershed here, and the fact that there is no lake shows that there is a good outlet. Unless this outlet is underground it will lead down to either the Portneuf River or the Escoumains or some lake that empties into one or other of these streams."
"Have we time to look for it now?" asked Mr. Anderson.
"No," was the reply, "I have planned the trip for the week and it will be best to make a day's trip here just for the purpose."
They then went on their way and were soon over into another lake.
"Do you think you can stand another carry?" asked Mr. Waterman, turning to the boys.
"Sure," said Bob.
"Ab-so-lute-el-y," said Bill.
"All right," replied Pud.
"Why so modest?" asked Mr. Anderson.
"I find it hard work," said Pud. "I not only have to carry my load but about twenty-five pounds of superfluous flesh. I guess I can stand it if they can. I'm here to get in shape, so go ahead."
"We can stay here just as well and go on to the other lake in the morning. It is only mid-afternoon now, though," said Mr. Waterman, "and we could make the next lake easily. I plan to stay there all day to-morrow."
"Don't mind me," said Pud.
So they went ahead. Bob carried the canoe and a duffle bag full of grub, while Mr. Waterman kept piling on stuff until he had at least one hundred and fifty pounds on his back. With a tump line over his forehead, he moved ahead, apparently little concerned about the weight of his load. Mr. Anderson and the guides were also similarly loaded. Pud elected to carry his bag and the portion of the grub. Jack kept on piling up the stuff with a merry wink to Bob. Finally they moved off. The carry proved to be about a mile and a quarter long. They had to go up a fairly steep hill first. All did very well, though Pud was puffing and blowing like a porpoise and sweating like a foundryman when they stopped at the top of the hill for a short rest. They were soon on their way again. Jack stayed behind with Pud and the others were soon lost to view. Bob and Mr. Waterman walked ahead at a good pace and were soon at the lake, which opened out before them most invitingly. They were all in swimming when at last Jack and Pud hove in sight. Pud was certainty the picture of fatigue.
"Don't overdo it, Jack," said Mr. Waterman. "That was really too big a load for him to carry."
"I guess you're right," replied Jack. "I put it on him more for a joke than anything else, intending to take it myself later. But that kid's game. He would not let me have it, although I thought he would melt away before we got here. I won't overload him again. When he gets back to Philadelphia he'll be hard as a rock. With his gamenessand his weight and strength, he should tear things loose on that football team. I don't know much about the game, but they tell me it's rough.
"It is a little rough," said Mr. Waterman, who himself had been a noted player when he went to college. "A little roughness in sport is really necessary for the full development of boys. They must get that personal contact and feel that they have to get the best of the other fellow through their own efforts. If this is done fairly, the roughness will not deteriorate into anything dangerous."
In the meantime Pud prepared for a swim, which was certainly a reward for him after such a long stretch of portage.
"Oh, you water," said Pud, as he luxuriously lay out on his back floating. "That last carry was some hike. It had all the Plattsburg full-equipment hikes beaten to death. I'm just going to load my pater down some day with what I had on my back and then ask him how he would like to tote that over a young mountain."
"You did very well, Pud," said Mr. Waterman. "I did not notice how much Jack was piling on you or I would have taken part of it myself."
"Not on your life," said Pud. "I'm here, and that extra sweat I had will do me good. I told Jack I would switch with him now and then. I did not realize what a load he had. On the previous carries he walked along just as if he was out for a little jaunt. He's getting old, too. I don't see how how he does it."
"They get used to it and know just how to distribute the load so that it will be carried most easily," said Mr. Waterman.
While the boys were enjoying the water, the guides were busy. Already they had cut a couple of poles, and with the aid of two trees they had made a very serviceable fireplace and was getting ready to make biscuits.
"Hey, you boys," called Mr. Waterman, "get busy. We'll clear up around here, but you fellows get out and catch us some trout for supper."
"Nothing easier," said Bob, as he came ashore and put on his clothes. In a little while they were all three out on the lake casting like veterans. Bob was in one canoe alone while Pud paddled Bill in the other canoe. In a very short time they had over thirty fine trout, and at a shout from Jack they came back to camp.
"Well, did you have any luck?" asked Jack, as they came to the shore.
"Bully!" said Bob. "This lake is full of trout as fine as I have ever seen."
"No wonder," replied Jack. "There is no one here to catch them, and they keep on increasing."
"Well, I'll reduce the supply if we stay here a few days," said Pud. "I could eat an ox, let alone a few trout."
"You'll get all you want to eat and then some," said Jack.
The fish were soon cleaned, and twenty minutes later they sat around a table made of two big logs with birch bark spread over it. It was not quite so comfortable as in their home camp, where they had a rude bench to sit on, but not one of them even thought of any such luxuries. They had had a strenuous day with but a very small lunch, and they were as hungry as wolves. The way the biscuits, the trout and everything else disappeared was a tribute to Jack's cooking. Even Pud at last drew back from the improvised table fully satisfied.
"The Germans have a proverb to the effect that 'Hunger is the best cook,'" said Mr. Anderson.
"That's true," broke in Pud, "but when you have a fine cook and hunger too, then there is real enjoyment in eating even the most simple fare."
"Well said, old top," remarked Bill. "'But first tell me when you got to be a philosopher."
"The best time to philosophize," said Mr. Waterman, "is just after such a meal as we have had. Then there is such a sense of bodily satisfaction that everything else appears to us as if detached from our own selves. The true philosophers are the woodsmen. They have time to think over life and its many chances, and they get to know things at their true worth. That is why men who are brought up near to nature are always such good judges of character either in men, women, or animals."
"Now we are philosophizing," said Mr. Anderson. "I think you're right, though, for practically the only true philosophers that I have ever known are men of the woods. Pierre is a good example of this. His views of life and death would do credit to Dr. Talmage or any other of our great preachers."
"Well, all I can say is this," said Pud, "I'm glad I'm here."
At this everybody laughed, for it was typical of big, hearty, jovial Pud, that any real serious conversation should go over his head, even though his own ideas may have started the talk.
After supper the boys got their sleeping bags ready and everything else so placed that they would not be wet by the dew, which is very heavy in the Saguenay region. Then, like true sons of Nimrod, they once more sought the limpid waters of the little lake in quest of the ever elusive and ever interesting trout. They all had good luck, which guaranteed them a hearty breakfast. As Bob and Pud came back to the camp they found Jack out on a log casting. The woods were back of him and almost directly above him, but in some uncanny way he managed to cast his fly just where and just as far as he wanted to. As they came by he showed them a dozen fine specimens that he had hooked.
"Why go so far from camp?" said he, in his quizzical way. "They bite just as good here."
"For you," said Bob. "You're a wizard with the fly, but for a poor novice like myself it is better to seek the fish where they are pretty sure to be found. I'm no Pied Piper of Hamlin to be able to draw fish to my fly as he did rats with his pipe."
The camp fire proved more than usually attractive that evening. All gathered around, even the guides, after they had straightened everything up.
"Well, we don't need to worry much now," said Mr. Waterman. "We'll stay right here to-morrow and have a good day's fishing and possibly hunting."
"What kind of hunting?" asked Pud.
"I was thinking merely of a partridge or two," replied Mr. Waterman.
"Arc you going to use your sleeping bag to-night?" asked Bob.
"Sure thing," replied Mr. Anderson. "We're going to have a fine night, but about four o'clock to-morrow morning you are liable to make the acquaintance of some of those moustiques or gnats that Pierre tells about. If you are in your sleeping bag you can then just pull over the flap and have another snooze."
"It certainly looks like fine weather," said Bill. "I think that I'll get up real early and visit that trout hole I found to-night. They just jumped at the fly. It was almost dark when I struck the place, so I had time only for a 'strike' or two."
"I'm with you," said Pud, with a yawn.
"Swell chance," said Bob. "We won't be able to waken you to-morrow morning until you hear Jack's voice yelling that breakfast is ready."
"Is that so?" replied Pud. "Now, don't you believe it. I've turned over a new leaf, and I'm going to get up promptly from now on."
"The only thing you'll turn over to-morrow at dawn is yourself for another nap," said Bill.
"Just try me and you'll see," said Pud.
"You're on," was the reply, "but I warn you that I'll call you just once."
Just then Mr. Waterman broke in by asking Joe if this was not the lake where he had had such an experience with wolves some years before. Joe nodded. The boys immediately wanted to know the story. Bob sat down by Joe and was soon lost as he listened to the vivacious tale of the French habitant.
"That isn't fair," said Bill, to no one in particular.
"What isn't fair?" asked Mr. Anderson.
"Why, Bob knows French, so he is having Joe tell him the wolf story. We'd like to know that too."
"It is really a fairly common occurrence; at least was some years ago in this country," said Mr. Anderson.
"But Bob will tell us, won't you?" said Pud, turning to him.
"Sure." So Bob began the interesting tale.
"Joe was up here with Pierre and another Indian hunting some years ago. The winter had been a very severe one with a wealth of snow. On this account, the wolves had been able to get but little to eat. They were then much more numerous than they are to-day. At that time there was a bounty on wolves and hundreds of heads were turned in to the government each winter and spring. Joe and his party were coming back to Escoumains after a good winter's hunt. They stopped on the next lake at a hunter's shack that was there at that time. As the weather promised to keep cold, they determined to stay there, feeling that if the spring should come with a rush that they would be able to get down to Escoumains, as it was only a week's journey distant.
"They therefore set their traps and went methodically about their business of gathering in the furry harvest made profitable to them through the desires of 'My Lady' in the large cities, whose fair necks must be covered andprotected from even the cold autumn's breath. One fine day Joe set out to make the round of the traps. He had good luck and was going home about four o'clock in the afternoon, laden with two foxes and four rabbits. Joe was hurrying on, for there was no moon and the shades of night fall very early in these latitudes even in March. They had heard a wolf occasionally, but had felt no fear of them, so that when Joe heard the long-drawn note, he did not give it even a thought. He was intent on getting back before nightfall, so he failed to note that the howls were rapidly approaching.
"As he reached the surface of the lake, which was of course frozen tightly at that time of year, he was astonished to hear the howl of a wolf, immediately followed by other howls only a short distance in his rear. He hurried on, but before he could get across the lake, he saw several dark forms dash out on the ice behind him. He broke into a run, but the pack rapidly overtook him. Raising his gun to fire, he was thunderstruck to find that in some way he had jammed the trigger and that it would not work.
"He did not have any time to waste, so he threw down two rabbits and hurried on. The wolves stopped only a moment, when they came to the rabbits. He could hear them snarling and quarreling over their small carcasses. He felt his blood run cold and wondered if he was to be torn to pieces in like manner. Once more the pack came on, so he threw another couple of rabbits to them and ran ahead. They got quite near to him the next time, so he dropped the remainder of his load and fled for the shore. He felt that his only chance lay in getting ashore and up a tree. As he ran he tried to fix the trigger of his gun, but he could not get it working. He was quite near the shore now, but the wolves were close behind. With a last desperate rush, he sprang up the steep bank. Turning around, he was just in time to strike down with his clubbed gun a big gray form that leaped at him with gleaming fangs.This lucky stroke probably saved Joe's life, for the rest of the pack stopped to devour their comrade, thus giving Joe time to get safely into the branches of a tree. The wolves, now with bloody mouths and glaring eyeballs, surrounded the tree and let out howls of such fierceness that they made Joe tremble even though he knew that he was safe for the present. He was only about a mile and a half away from their shack, and he knew that if he did not turn up, that sooner or later Pierre would be out to hunt him.
"But, can you imagine how pleasant it must be to be up in a tree, with broken gun, a dozen hungry wolves beneath you and a cold night coming on? Already Joe began to get very cold, for in his race across the lake through the heavy snow he had broken out into a heavy perspiration. As darkness came down he could feel the cold hand of King Frost, as it were, reaching for him and trying to throw him down to the beasts below. This idea took possession of Joe's mind and he fought it off with all his strength. He tried as best he could in the gathering darkness to fix his gun, but it was hopelessly jammed. At last he gave this up and settled down to wait for the morning, which would surely bring Pierre to his rescue.
"As the cold became greater, his desire to sleep became the stronger. He felt himself nodding several times and once awoke just as he was on the point of falling from the tree. He grabbed a branch lower down, but his feet swung beneath and before he could get back safely on the limb one of the watchful band below by a mighty leap snapped at his leg and took a piece cleanly out of the calf, tearing his trousers leg almost entirely off him. The smell of the blood put the wolves into a frenzy and they tried again and again to reach him by leaping. They seemed maddened by hunger, for when one of their number fell after making a mighty upward bound, the pack was on him in a minute, and before the horrified eyes of Joe, they tore their mate to pieces and in ten minutes there was neither hide nor hair of him to be seen.
"Joe now had to bind up his leg as best he could. He bound the rags of his trouser leg around so that it kept out the cold pretty well. This excitement kept him up for some time, but about twelve o'clock Joe felt that the cold was sure to get the better of him if he did not do something. He thereupon undid the leather strap that he used ordinarily to carry his gun over his back when not in use. This strap, together with his belt, made a strap sufficiently long so that he was able to bind himself to the tree. He then felt easier, for he knew that at least, even though he went to sleep, that he would run no risk of falling down as prey for the murderous pack below. He wondered if he would be able to stand the cold night or whether when Pierre came in the morning he might not find him stark and rigid, tied to the branch of the tree.
"He shuddered as he remembered the gruesome sight he had once noted far to the north one day. Then, on one of his fishing expeditions, he had come upon the body of a man hanging in a tree, evidently treed by wolves and then frozen. He wondered if some chance passer-by in after years would find his skeleton in a similar way and would pass on with only a 'Dieu benisse' (May God bless) as he had done, and not even give him decent burial. He commenced to think that his present position was directly due to his haste on this former occasion. He begged God to forgive him and promised to burn a hundred candles for the soul of the unknown if he ever got back to Escoumains.
"At last human strength could hold out no longer and Joe fell asleep, asleep with the cold, that forerunner of death. Joe knew nothing until he awoke in the cabin with Pierre busy about him. It seems that when he did not return Pierre had gotten uneasy. He and his mate had started out. With pine torches they followed his trail, and when they saw the numerous wolf tracks they feared for the worst. They followed across the ice and were themselves attacked by the pack. Their guns soon put them to flight and a few minutes later they found Joe insensible up inthe tree. They hurried him back to the hut and in a few days Joe was none the worse for his experience except for the painful wound on his leg made by the champion high jumper of the pack."
"Are there any wolves up here now?" asked Pud, as he looked out into the forest with its dark avenues of trees.
"Not so many," replied Mr. Anderson, "but Sandy, down at Escoumains, told me the other day that they were getting numerous again, and that a bounty had once more been put on their heads."
"Don't be dreaming of wolves and pounce on me again, as you did when dreaming of bears," laughed Bob.
"Yes, to bed, to bed, now," cried Mr. Waterman. "I'm sure we all need the rest, for we have had a great day."
They all agreed with him and were soon warm and cozy in their sleeping bags, sleeping as only tired men can sleep out of doors. The fire died down, the greenness of the nearby branches became gray and then black and were finally merged into the blackness of the surrounding woods, and not a sound told that here under God's own canopy slept human beings enjoying nature as the primeval men of old did.