CHAPTER XV
Let us now return to Bob and Mark at the time they found themselves lost in the mighty forest.
For several minutes the two youths stared around them in great perplexity, not knowing what to do next.
"This is a fine state of affairs, I must say," groaned Mark, presently. "Bob, we are worse than a couple of children."
"It's like bein' at sea without a compass," declared the former sailor lad. "We don't know in what direction to steer to make port."
"Well, one thing is certain, we can't stay here all day."
"We can if we have to."
"Don't you want to make a move?"
"I don't want to get tangled up any worse than I am now. I've got an idea," went on Bob, suddenly.
"What is it?"
"I'll climb one of the big trees around here and take a look as to how the land lays."
"Good enough! We were a pair of geese not to think of that before. I can go up with you."
But when it came to climbing, Mark decided to let the former sailor boy go it alone. He gave Bob a boost and up went the lad in true nautical style with hardly an effort.
"You can climb, that's sure," said Mark, admiringly.
"Always could," answered Bob from above. "Went clear up to the masthead before I was on my first ship a week."
"Didn't it make you dizzy?"
"Not in the least."
Mark remained at the foot of the tree, while Bob mounted higher and higher. Presently the former sailor lad called down that he had reached the top and could get a good look on all sides.
"I can see the river, as plain as day," he said. "It is about a mile from here. And I can see some turnouts further off."
"Good enough! Let us walk to the river, and then follow it until we reach the fording place."
Bob came down to the ground again, and they set off through the forest once more, taking great care that they should not become turned around again.
"I have heard of people being lost in the woods, and I don't wonder at it now," observed Mark. "It is the easiest thing in the world to go astray."
As they journeyed along they stirred up some small game, but before they could take aim the game got out of sight.
"That shows we are not used to gunning," said Bob, with a laugh. "A regular hunter is on the watch all the time."
They were still some distance from the river when Bob, who was slightly in advance, let out a yell which would have done credit to a wild Indian:
"A snake!"
"Where?" queried his companion.
"Right ahead of us."
"I see him now," answered Mark, as the head of the reptile was lifted. "Gosh, what a big one!"
"I'd like to know if he is a rattler," said Bob, as he backed away.
"Perhaps so, Bob. They say that rattlesnakes are to be found in all parts of this country."
The two boys started to make a detour. As they did this Mark gave a yell even louder than that uttered by his chum:
"Another snake!"
"Three of them!" roared Bob. "Mark, we've gotten into a regular nest of them!"
"Let us get out!"
The two lads lost no time in retreating. Most of the snakes remained where they were, but one big fellow glided after them, hissing viciously.
"Look out, he's after us, Bob!"
"Ain't a rattler, I reckon—leastwise, I don't hear any rattle."
"But he is bad enough!"
"I'll shoot him!" cried the former sailor boy, and raising his shotgun, he blazed away at the reptile, hitting it in the neck. At once the snake whipped around madly, and the long, rubbery body wound itself around poor Bob's legs.
"Help me! Save me!" screamed Bob, and tried to kick himself loose, but without avail.
Mark saw his chum's extreme peril, and rushed forward with his own gun. He pressed the barrel between Bob's legs and up against the body of the reptile, and pulled the trigger.
The shot at such close range had its full effect and the body of the snake was literally ripped to pieces by the heavy shot. The reptile fell to the ground with a quiver, and Bob lost no time in starting to run again.
"I hope I didn't hurt you, Bob?"
"I—I think one leg is singed, but that don't count, Mark! Ugh! what a horrible creature it was!"
"Right you are."
"Are the others following?"
Both looked back but could see nothing of the other reptiles. Soon they had given that locality a wide berth, and then both breathed a bit easier.
"We must have our eyes open after this," said Mark, as he and his chum reloaded their shotguns. "If that snake was poisonous you had a pretty close shave."
"I guess I had a pretty close shave as it was," answered Bob, with a shudder. "Of all the horrible things in this world, I think a snake is the worst!"
"I think so myself."
They kept on, and at last reached the river, which at this point was broad and shallow, with a rocky bottom. They stopped for a drink and then gazed up and down the watercourse in perplexity.
"Is the ford up or down?" asked Mark.
"Just what I was trying to decide, Mark. I rather think it is down."
"So do I."
"Here is something of a deer trail along the stream. We can follow that until——"
Bob stopped short and leaped behind a bush, motioning for his chum to do the same.
"What did you see?" whispered Mark.
"A deer! There he is!"
"Shoot him, Bob!"
Bang! went the shotgun of the former sailor boy and the deer leaped high in the air. Then it sprang into the river and started to swim across.
"He will get away!"
"I will give him a shot!" cried Mark, and taking hasty aim he fired. The shot went true, and the deer turned over on its side and began to float down the river.
"We'll lose him after all!" cried Mark, in disappointment.
"Not much," said Bob, and ran along the bank, throwing off some of his clothing as he did so. Then the deer caught on a snag, and after some trouble the former sailor boy brought the carcass ashore.
"There's prime meat for all hands!" said he, surveying the game with much pride. "Mark, we shan't go back so empty-handed after all!"
"I am glad of it," was the reply.
They had just pulled the deer up on the bank and were wondering how they could best carry the game, when they heard a noise beyond the river, as of a horse and wagon crashing through some bushes. They looked in the direction and to their amazement saw their own wagon and Darling moving along, driven by Sag Ruff and a man who was a stranger.
"Bob! is it possible?" gasped Mark.
"It looks as if Sag Ruff had stolen our outfit!" ejaculated Bob. "Who is that with him?"
"I don't know—perhaps that fellow I heard spoken of, Soapy Gannon."
"I wonder how they got hold of the outfit?"
"I am sure I don't know, but I do know one thing——"
"We must get our outfit back."
"That's the talk."
"They are on the other side of the river?"
"We can wade or swim over."
By this time the mule and the wagon, along with Sag Ruff and Soapy Gannon, had disappeared behind some trees. The men were urging the mule on in every possible manner, beating him one minute and coaxing him the next.
"They have taken to this side trail on purpose," said Mark. "They are evidently afraid of meeting some of our friends."
It was decided to leave the deer and the rest of their game hanging in a tree by the riverside. Then they searched along the watercourse until they found a spot where fording was comparatively easy. Mark took off his shoes and stockings, rolled up his trousers, and waded in, and Bob followed.
"Now look to your shotgun," said Bob, when they were safe on the other side. "Those fellows may want to fight." And both loaded with care, and then put on their shoes and stockings again, and started after the stolen turnout.
It was no easy walk, and once they made a false turn on the trail, getting into a clump of nettles which scratched them and tore their clothing. But then they reached a level stretch and Mark set off on a run, with Bob at his heels.
"I see them!" cried Mark, a few minutes later. "There they go again, behind yonder trees."
They continued to run, and soon came up to the rear of the turnout. They found Sag Ruff walking on one side of the wagon and Soapy Gannon on the other.
"Stop!" cried Mark, and brought up his shotgun. "Stop, you rascals, or I'll fire!"