"Some day I'm going to take a crack at them," said Jack. "That is, if they fly low enough."
Presently Gif slowed his pace and motioned for the others to do likewise. They had come out to where there was a small clearing. Here all gazed around sharply, trying to find some trace of the rabbit run Gif had mentioned.
"I see one!" exclaimed Spouter presently. "See him? Over yonder," and he pointed with his hand.
"Yes! And there is another!" answered Jack.
"I see four or five of them," put in Gif.
"Oh, say! there is our chance," ejaculated Fred excitedly. "Let's get busy at once," and he made as if to raise his shotgun.
"Don't fire yet," cautioned Jack. "We're not close enough."
"Come on! I'll show you a place where we'll have a good chance to get at those rabbits," said Gif. "Come, follow me."
Making as little noise as possible, the other lads followed Gif back into the woods and then along a snow-laden trail skirting the clearing.
Less than two minutes' walk brought the young hunters to a spot where were located a series of rough rocks, and here Gif motioned for his companions to halt.
"I think you will find the rabbits in the hollow just on the other side of these rocks," he whispered. "Now get you guns ready before you show yourselves."
Slowly and cautiously they mounted the rocks and then lay down in the snow on top. They peered into the hollow below, and presently made out the forms of at least a dozen rabbits running to and fro, evidently trying to find something among the trees and bushes opposite that would be fit to eat.
"We might as well fire all at the same time," said Jack. "Because after the first shot those bunnies will do their best to get to cover."
It was quickly decided that some of the hunters should shoot at the rabbits directly ahead, while others were to shoot at those to the right or to the left.
It must be admitted that Fred and Andy were trembling with excitement, and Randy was also agitated. The others were quite calm, or else they did not allow their real feelings to show. It was decided that Jack should give the order to fire.
"All right," said the oldest Rover boy. "Now take aim, and when I say three, shoot."
There were several seconds of silence during which all of the young hunters got in readiness to shoot. Then, while they were still aiming their weapons, one of the rabbits suddenly stopped running around and sat upright, directly facing them, with his long ears pointed skyward.
"Quick!" exclaimed Jack excitedly. "They see us! One—two—three! Fire!"
The six shotguns spoke almost as one piece, and as the reports echoed across the clearing and through the woods, several of the rabbits were seen to leap into the air and then fall back lifeless. Several others were seriously wounded, and these were speedily put out of their misery by a second shot from Gif and Spouter.
"Hurrah! Seven rabbits!" exclaimed Fred, running forward. "That's what I call a pretty good start."
"Come on, let us go after the others! Leave these where they are," cried Jack, and plunged into the wood where he had seen several of the rabbits seeking refuge. He managed to bring down one of them, and Randy brought down another. The others got away.
"Nine rabbits is by no means a bad haul," was Gif's comment, after the boys had brought the dead game together.
"Enough for a splendid potpie, and then some," came from Spouter.
"Do you suppose we can get any more?" exclaimed Andy. He was quite certain he had brought down one of the bunnies.
"We can try, Andy," answered Gif. "It isn't late yet, and the snow isn't so deep but what it might be deeper."
Having divided the rabbits between them, so that each lad might carry some of the game, they moved forward, across the little clearing, and then through the woods for the best part of a quarter of a mile. During that time they saw several squirrels, but were unable to get a shot at the frisky animals.
"A squirrel is as quick as they make 'em," declared Gif. "You've got to act like lightning to catch 'em."
By this time it was snowing so heavily that all concluded it would be a wise move to return to Cedar Lodge. The wind was rising, shaking the tops of the trees violently and causing a strange moaning sound through the thickets which was anything but pleasant.
"I'd hate to be caught out here all alone and in the darkness," remarked Randy to Fred, as they trudged along.
"Would give a fellow the creeps, wouldn't it?" was the reply.
As they continued on their way they kept their eyes wide open for the possible appearance of more game. But no animals showed themselves, nor did they see any birds circling through the snow, which seemed every moment to be coming down thicker than ever.
"If this snow continues and the wind keeps on rising, we'll have a regular blizzard before morning," announced Gif.
"Don't say a word about the wind," panted Andy, who had dropped a few paces behind, "My nose and my ears are almost frozen."
"Well, thank goodness, Andy, we're not very far from the Lodge. You'll soon be able to warm up."
They were still deep in the woods when from a distance they heard a peculiar whistle twice repeated.
"That's Jed Wallop's whistle," announced Gif. "He must have just come in."
He whistled in return, and presently they came out at a point where the cedars fringed the clearing in the midst of which was located the bungalow. They saw Jed Wallop standing outside the little stable and waved their hands to him, and he waved in return.
"Thought you might have gone out huntin'," announced Wallop, when they came up. "Had some luck, too, I see."
"Nine rabbits," said Fred, a bit proudly.
"Good enough! I guess that means some good, old-fashioned rabbit stew to-night," and Jed Wallop grinned.
He had not seen Gif's note, and so the lads explained the situation, to which the man listened with much concern.
"Well, by gum! what do you know about that?" he ejaculated. "I certain did mix it when I give you them directions. I might o' told you about turnin' to the left when it come to the road past this lodge. You see, I got all twisted up in my mind as soon as I heard about my cousin, Tim Doolittle, bein' hurt."
"That's just the way I figured it, Jed," answered Gif. "However, as we got here at last it doesn't matter."
"Goin' to have a pretty good fall o' snow, boys;" and Jed Wallop looked anxiously at the sky.
"Do you think we shall be snowed in?" questioned Randy.
"Might be—if the storm keeps up long enough. But you got plenty o' provisions, ain't you?"
"Oh, we've got enough to last us for a week or ten days," answered Gif.
"Then I guess you'll be all right. But say! maybe you fellers would like me to stay here with you?" continued Jed Wallop. "Not but wot you're big enough to take care of yourselves."
"We'll get along all right, Jed. Don't worry," answered Gif.
"Then I'll be a-takin' the team and gettin' over to my own place," announced the man. "And I won't lose no time, nuther. I don't want to git stuck on the road with Mary and John. They are a purty good team, but they are apt to loose heart if the wind gits to blowin' too strong agin 'em."
"How is your cousin getting along?" questioned Jack kindly.
"Oh, he's a-doin' tolerable. I took him over to our Uncle Joe's, you know, and the women folks over there will give him the best o' care."
The boys assisted Jed Wallop to hook up the team to the boxsled, and in a few minutes more the man was off with a crack of his whip, which sent the team away at a fairly respectable pace.
"Now, have a good time!" he called back to the boys. "And don't shoot all the game in the State."
"When will you be back?" sang out Spouter.
"In a few days. If you want me before that time give the signal;" for it had been arranged that when the boys wanted Jed Wallop to come over from where he lived they were to shoot a gun two times twice in succession.
"He won't have any sweet job of it getting to his place," announced Fred.
"Fortunately, it isn't a great distance off," answered Gif. "If he had several miles to go, I doubt if he would be able to make it."
Shutting up the stable and loading their arms with firewood from the shed, the six cadets made their way into the Lodge. When they opened the door the wind rushed in, causing the sparks and the ashes from the smouldering fire to fly in all directions.
"Shut that door!" Gif cried quickly. "My, how that wind is rising!"
"Maybe it'll blow the bungalow over," remarked Randy.
"Oh, I don't believe it will get as bad as all that, Randy," said Jack. "This looks as if it was a pretty substantial building."
"You're right," came from Gif. "Those logs are good and heavy, and they were put together by some of the best workmen around here. This house won't go down unless the woods go down with it. But I am mighty glad we are under shelter where we can take it comfortable."
"Do you know what I think?" said Fred. "I think we ought to bring in more of that firewood. There is no telling if we'll be able to get any of it by morning if this snow keeps coming down."
"A good idea, Fred," said Jack. "Let us go out at once and pile all the wood we can in the entryway beside the kitchen."
Leaving Gif to stir up the fire so that the Lodge might get warm once more, the others hurried out to the woodshed. They made four trips from that place to the entryway beside the kitchen, each time bringing in all the logs they could carry.
"There! that wood ought to last us for two or three days," declared Jack, when the task was done.
"Now I know what I'm going to do," said Fred, as they re-entered the main building.
"What's that?" queried Spouter.
"I'm going to get at those dishes."
"So are we!" declared Andy and Randy in a breath.
Water was heated, and it did not take long to dispose of the dirty dishes. While the three boys were doing this, the others cleaned up the living room of the bungalow, and also straightened out their beds. From time to time all gazed out of the small-paned windows, to see that the snow was coming down as thickly as ever.
"We're in for it, and no mistake," said Gif finally. "I don't think we'll be able to do much hunting for a day or two."
"Well, that will give us a good chance to rest," declared Jack. "I don't know but what I would just as lief take a nap after lunch. That tramp in the wind after the rabbits made me sleepy."
All were rather tired, and as a consequence the lunch was an informal affair, the boys warming up and opening a large can of pork and beans and making themselves a large pot of steaming chocolate.
"We'll have dinner to-night," said Gif, and to this the others agreed.
Then they cleared the dishes away and took it easy, some resting in front of the fire and others on the beds in the rooms.
"If it gets much colder we'll have to pull some of those beds out into the living room and close the doors to the bedrooms," announced Gif. "I remember we did that one time when I was up here."
By five o'clock the boys felt rested, and then began preparations for a regular dinner. Several of the rabbits were cleaned and cooked, and they also boiled some potatoes and onions. Then Gif and Jack prepared a pan of biscuits and a pot of tea.
"Some day I'm going to take a few hours off and make some pies and cakes," announced Randy. He had always had a great liking for desserts.
"Yes, and don't forget we're going to make some candy, too," added his twin.
In the evening the boys read some magazines they had brought along, and Jack and Spouter played checkers. Before retiring, they looked out of the windows, to find that it was snowing and blowing just as furiously as ever.
"It's going to be a wild night, believe me," announced Spouter. "I don't believe there will be many people traveling around in this vicinity."
They retired as they had done the night before, and soon, despite the whistling of the wind, all of the lads were sound asleep.
Suddenly Jack awakened with a start. How long he had been asleep he did not know. He sat up quickly, for he realized that some sound from without had awakened him.
"Help! Help!" came from outside the bungalow. "Help! Let us in! We're freezing to death!"
"Wake up, Fred! There is somebody at the door trying to get in!" called out Jack, as the cry from outside was repeated.
"What's that? What's the matter?" came sleepily from the other Rover boy.
From outside came a feeble kicking and pounding on the main door to the Lodge. Two boys were calling piteously for assistance.
"Get up, everybody!" sang out Jack, as he jumped up and stuck his feet into a pair of slippers which were handy.
His call and the noise from outside aroused Gif and Spouter, as well as Fred, and soon the four cadets were hurrying into the living room. They wore nothing but their pajamas, and slippers, but now each slipped hastily into his overcoat.
"Who is it?" demanded Gif, for he had no desire to have the Lodge overrun by a crowd of noisy and possibly half-drunken lumberjacks.
"It's us—Bill Glutts and Gabe Werner," was the faint reply. "Please leave us in before we are frozen to death."
"Werner and Glutts!" ejaculated Fred. And now the continued noise brought Andy and Randy on the scene.
"What can they be doing out here this time of night?" demanded Fred.
"Say, let us in, won't you?" came pleadingly in Gabe Werner's voice. "You don't want to let us freeze to death, do you?"
"What brought you here this time of night?" demanded Jack.
"We're on our way to Tony Duval's place," answered Gabe Werner. "But the storm is so fierce we couldn't get any further. Our horse is completely winded."
"You are sure you are alone?" demanded Gif.
"Yes, yes! Please let us in. My nose and ears are frozen."
"And I don't know whether I've got any feet left or not," broke in Bill Glutts piteously.
The main door to the bungalow had not only been locked, but also barred. Now the door was unfastened, and Gif, with the others beside him, allowed the portal to swing open a few inches.
A terrible scene met their eyes. The snow was piled up against the door to the depth of two feet or more, and the wind was swirling the white particles in all directions, so that the snow came into the living room in a perfect cloud. In this mass of white stood Bill Glutts and Gabe Werner, their heavy clothing covered with a ghost-like mantle. Behind them was a one-seated sleigh drawn by a horse that looked ready to drop from exhaustion.
"Come in," said Gif briefly.
No such invitation was needed, for as soon as the door was opened wide enough Bill Glutts staggered into the living room, followed by his crony. A swirl of snow followed them, and continued until Gif and Jack managed to close the door once more.
"Gee! I'm all in," gasped Glutts, as he sank down on a chair close to the smouldering fire.
"I thought we'd drop before we got you fellows up," added Werner. "You sure are some sleepers," he grumbled, as he too sank down on a seat.
Ordinarily the Rovers and their chums would have treated these two bullies with scant courtesy. But now Glutts and Werner appeared to be suffering so much from the cold that they had not the heart to find fault with their enemies.
"I'll stir up that fire a little," said Gif, and did so while Andy and Randy went out into the entryway, to bring in some additional sticks of wood.
"We can't leave that horse out there," remarked Jack. "He'll be frozen to death."
"Well, I'm not going out to take care of him," declared Gabe Werner quickly. "I wouldn't go out in that storm again for a thousand dollars."
"Neither would I," growled Glutts. "The nag can look after himself."
"That's a shameful way to treat any animal, Glutts," declared Gif. "But as you fellows seem to be so exhausted, we'll look after him," he continued.
"If you go out, Gif, I'll go with you," said Jack quickly. "But we had better slip some of our clothing right over our pajamas. I'll bet it's as cold as Greenland's icy mountains around that stable."
While the newcomers continued to make themselves comfortable before the fire, and Spouter and Fred prepared a pot of hot tea for them to drink, Gif and Jack hurried into their clothing and then went outside.
The blast that struck them as they hurried toward the exhausted horse was terrific, and for the moment they thought they would have to turn back and abandon the animal. But then they took another grip on themselves, and finally managed to turn the horse in the direction of the stable.
They saw that the sleigh was filled with provisions and other things, and so managed to haul it under the shed where it would be partly protected. Then they placed the horse in the stable, gave him a drink, and likewise left some hay for him to chew on.
"We may not be able to get here in the morning," said Gif; "so we'll leave him some supper and some breakfast at the same time."
"I don't much like the idea of Glutts and Werner loading down on us in this fashion," remarked Jack, as the pair prepared to go back to the Lodge.
"Like it!" exclaimed his chum. "I should say not! But what are we going to do about it, Jack?"
"Oh, we'll have to make the best of it."
"If this storm keeps up we may have those fellows on our hands for some days."
"Well, if they stay here that long they can pay their own way," declared Jack. "They have some provisions in that sleigh, and there is no reason why we should feed them for nothing. If we divide up our stuff they can divide up theirs."
"It wouldn't be any more than fair."
"Where is this Tony Duval's place they mentioned?" continued the oldest Rover boy.
"It's about two miles from here, off to the eastward—in fact, the road on which this Lodge is located ends at Duval's place. He is a French-Canadian, and he hasn't a very good reputation in these parts. Some of the old hunters used to think Tony was a good deal of a thief—that he would go around in the night or early morning and empty their traps. He came from down east."
"What do you suppose Werner and Glutts are going to do there?"
"Of late years Duval has made a specialty of hiring out his place to hunters. There are two or three shacks on his land, and he lets the various crowds have those buildings, and then, if the hunters want it, he cooks for them, for he is said to be quite a handy man with a coffeepot and a frying pan. More than likely, from what you heard at the moving picture theater, Gabe Werner has a chance to use one of those shacks and has got Glutts to go with him."
"I wonder why Codfish isn't with them—he was at that restaurant in Timminsport."
"I'm sure I don't know, except that Codfish may have got cold feet when it came to traveling up this way in such a snowstorm. You know there is nothing brave about that little sneak." And in this surmise Gif was correct. Stowell had found a boarding place in the town and had said he would remain there until the storm cleared away and the others returned to get him.
In the meantime Glutts and Werner were seated at the living-room table drinking the hot tea which had been prepared and eating some doughnuts which Fred and Andy had offered. The bullies had become thawed out, and their usual aggressiveness was beginning to assert itself.
"Of course we could have kept on until we got up to Tony's place; but what was the use on such a wild night as this when we knew this place was handy?" remarked Werner.
"I'm afraid you're going to be snowed in with us," said Spouter.
"Huh! I don't know as that will be very pleasant," grumbled Glutts. "Have you fellows got enough for all hands to eat?" he demanded eagerly.
"We've got some provisions," answered Fred cautiously. "We shot nine rabbits to-day," he added proudly.
"Nine rabbits!" exclaimed Werner. "How did you do it?"
"They must have driven the poor rabbits together in a bunch and then slaughtered them," was Glutts' comment.
"We did not!" cried Fred.
"I'm sure we'll get all the rabbits we want when we reach Tony Duval's place," continued Werner boastfully. "I believe hunting up there is much better than it is around here."
"And they tell me Tony is one of the best guides in these parts," added Glutts. "We expect to get a deer or two and a whole lot of other game."
"Say, have you fellows got a place where we can sleep?" questioned the other bully, looking around the living room.
"There is a bedroom here that is not being used," answered Spouter. "But you'll have to ask Gif about that. This bungalow, you know, belongs to Mr. Garrison and his brother."
When Gif and Jack returned the situation was explained to them, and Gif said that for the balance of the night the two newcomers could occupy the bedroom which was not in use.
"And then we'll see what can be done to-morrow morning," he added.
"Of course we'll pay for our accommodations," said Werner, in his most lordly manner.
"We don't want any pay, Werner," declared Gif. "But if you have to stay here very long you'll have to divide your stores with us. It is quite a task to get new stuff all the way from Timminsport; so if you've got anything in the sleigh outside it won't be any more than fair for you to divide with us."
"What did you do with the sleigh and the stuff?"
"We placed it under the shed next to the stable and covered your stuff with a horse blanket. The snow is sifting in there some, but I don't think anything will get hurt; unless, of course, you've got some stuff that might freeze."
"Let it freeze," grumbled Glutts. "I'm not going out again, now I'm comfortable here."
As there was no love lost between the newcomers and our friends, the conversation languished after this. Gif showed Glutts and Werner where they might sleep in the bedroom which had not been occupied, and gave them the necessary bedding and some extra blankets. Then the pair shoved off without even saying good-night and closed the door behind them.
"Real loving and thankful—I don't think," whispered Randy.
"I don't see why those fellows were wished on us," growled his twin. "I'd just as lief have a skunk in the place as to have either of that pair."
"Well, we couldn't leave them out in the storm to perish," answered Jack, in a low tone; "so we'll have to make the best of it."
"Just the same," whispered Fred, "I'm going to keep my eyes and ears wide open while they are here."
When Randy and Andy retired it was a long while before the merry twins could get to sleep again.
"We ought to play some good joke on them," was the way Andy expressed it. "Something they would remember."
"I'd do it in a minute, Andy, if it wasn't that they are so worn out," responded his twin. "But I don't think Jack and Fred would like it at all if we disturbed 'em. And, besides, you must remember that while we are here we're Gif's guests."
Gif and Jack were the first to get up in the morning, and they had the fire revived and breakfast underway before any of the others showed themselves.
"Where are Glutts and Werner?" questioned Spouter, when he appeared.
"They haven't showed themselves yet, Spouter," answered Jack. "Might as well let them sleep as long as they want to. They can't leave here in such a storm as this."
The snow was still coming down and the wind was blowing almost as fiercely as it had during the early part of the night. Gazing through the windows, the cadets saw that all of the cedars were bent down with the weight of the fine white crystals. The snow had swept up along one side of the little barn until there was an unbroken line reaching up to the very top.
"Well, I never!" ejaculated Jack, turning around suddenly to his chums. "Happy New Year, everybody!"
"Happy New Year!" came from the others, including Fred and the twins, who had just got up.
"Gosh! I forgot all about it's being New Year's," exclaimed Fred.
"This looks like a real New Year's Day, and no mistake," remarked Randy. "Look outside! Isn't it just like a picture on a New Year's card?"
"It is assuredly a spectacle to fill one with awe and reverence," came from Spouter. "Just gaze upon that magnificent stretch of snowy mantle and those tall cedars bending low before the wintry blasts! Can you imagine what this must be in the solemn depth of the mighty forest, where not a footfall is heard nor a—"
"Jack rabbit can get as much as a turnip to eat?" finished Randy gayly. "Spouter, if you are going to orate, why don't you stand on the table when you turn on the spigot?"
"Let us have a regular New Year's dinner!" cried Gif, "and then Spouter can do the speech-making—"
"While we do the eating," finished Randy. "Say, Spout, how about it?"
"Nothing doing," was the prompt reply. "I want my share of the eats every time."
"We'll make a regular rabbit potpie to take the place of turkey," announced Gif.
"And for dessert, how about that canned plum pudding we brought along?" queried Fred.
"Great thought, Fred!" answered Randy. "And we can have some of those nuts, too. And to-night we'll try our hand at some candy making."
"One thing you fellows are forgetting," remarked Gif. "And that is that we have Werner and Glutts with us. They'll certainly want their share of the good things."
"What! Plum pudding and all?" questioned Fred, with a gloomy look settling over his face.
"We can't deny them anything that we have ourselves, Fred," replied Jack.
"I don't think Glutts or Werner deserve it!" exclaimed Randy. "I think as soon as this storm clears away they ought to be sent about their business. It isn't so very far to that Tony Duval's place, and with their horse and sleigh they ought to be able to make it somehow."
Randy had scarcely finished speaking when the door to the bedroom the two bullies occupied was flung open and Werner strode into the living room.
"Fine way you have of talking about us, Rover!" he said, with a sour look on his face. "We didn't come here because we wanted to. We came because it was necessary."
"And we said we would pay for whatever we had to eat or drink," added Glutts, who had followed his crony.
"I told you before that you wouldn't have to pay a cent," broke in Gif. "Just the same, Glutts, we might as well come to an understanding. You know as well as I do that there is no love lost between you fellows and our crowd. You are welcome to stay here and have your dinner, and if you think you can't get out to-day you can stay here for supper and sleep here again to-night. By that time I think the storm will have cleared away, and you will be able to get over to Tony's place without trouble."
"You can take it from me, we won't stay here an hour longer than we have to," declared Werner. And then he turned back into the bedroom to finish his dressing, closing the door behind him.
The presence of the two bullies put a good deal of a damper on our friends, and as a consequence the breakfast was rather a silent one. Then Gif suggested that Glutts and Werner go out and look after their horse, and this they agreed to do.
"If you won't take any pay we'll stand for our share of the grub," announced Werner just before he went out. "We've got some goods in the sleigh, as you know. What shall I bring in?"
"Bring in whatever you think is fair," said Gif, after a few whispered words to Jack and Spouter.
The two bullies were gone the best part of an hour, and during that time the Rovers and their chums cleaned several of the rabbits and also got ready some potatoes and turnips for dinner.
"That will give us quite a meal, along with the dried lima beans that I put to soak last night," said Gif. "Of course, we'll have the plum pudding, well steamed, as Fred suggested."
"And we'll make a pan of biscuits, too," added Spouter. "Gee! by the time we get through up here, fellows, we'll be able to get jobs as chefs in some of the first-class New York hotels."
When Glutts and Werner returned they carried two packages which they threw on the living-room table.
"There are some dried apricots and a package of rice," said Werner. "They ought to help out for a New Year's dinner."
"Very well, we'll cook what we need for the meal, Werner," said Gif briefly, "and the rest you can take with you."
Gif and Spouter made a small rice pudding, and also stewed some of the apricots. All told, the New Year's dinner proved to be quite a bountiful affair, and after all of the lads had eaten their fill, it must be confessed that everybody felt in better humor. The plum pudding especially came in for a large share of their attention, as well as did the nuts and the small amount of raisins which followed.
"I think we'll go and take a nap," announced Werner presently. "I didn't get very much sleep last night."
"And I'll do the same," added Glutts.
"What about washing those dishes?" remarked Fred, with a significant look at the two bullies.
"That's right, Glutts and Werner!" cried Jack. "You ought to be willing to do your share of the dish-washing."
"Me wash dishes!" roared Bill Glutts. "I never did anything like that in my life!"
"You washed your own dishes at the encampment," answered Spouter sharply.
"Oh, well, that was different."
"Oh, don't gas," grumbled Werner. "We'll wash our own dishes, anyway," and he went to work without another word, although with very bad grace, and presently Glutts followed him.
Gif and the other boys also took hold, so the dish-washing and the pot cleaning did not take very long.
The majority of the boys felt sleepy, so the rest of the day was spent in taking it easy or in reading. Then, toward night, they had a light supper, and Fred and the twins started to make some home-made candy.
By this time the storm had cleared away; no more snow was coming down and the wind had also ceased. Overhead the stars glittered like so many diamonds.
"It will be a great day to-morrow," announced Gif.
"Perhaps we can get out and get on the track of a deer!" cried Fred.
"Say, Fred, you must think the deer in this vicinity are standing around just waiting to be shot," came from Jack, with a smile.
"I don't care, Jack. I'm going to get a crack at something worth while before I go home," announced the youngest Rover.
Declining to partake of the taffy and the nut candy the twins and Fred had made, Glutts and Werner retired early.
"We'll be going in the morning if the storm will permit it," said Werner to Gif. And then he added curtly: "Much obliged for taking us in."
"Don't mention it, Werner," answered Gif, just as briefly.
"Remember, we'll pay you if you'll tell us how much it is," added Glutts.
"You can't pay me anything, Glutts."
"Just as you say."
Then the door to the bedroom was closed as before, and Gif and his chums were left to themselves.
"Some New Year's Day, believe me," was Fred's whispered comment. "The presence of those fellows is about as cheering as a funeral."
Randy and Andy had their heads close together and were whispering. Presently Randy got up and stretched himself.
"Now that it has stopped snowing I am going to go out and get a little fresh air in my lungs," he remarked.
"And I'm going along," responded his twin quickly.
"So am I," broke in Fred.
"And that means we can wash the dishes," said Jack. "All right, there are only a handful anyway. Go ahead, only don't walk too far and get lost."
The three lads were soon outside, ploughing around through the deep snow. Then Randy caught Fred by the arm.
"Come on down to the stable," he said. "Andy and I have a little something up our sleeves."
"Just what I thought," chuckled Fred, "I bet you're planning to play some trick on Glutts and Werner."
"Can you blame us?" demanded Andy.
"Certainly not. I'm with you. What do you propose to do?"
"We want to find out first what those fellows are carrying in the way of provisions. Quite something, I imagine."
Reaching the stable, the three Rovers passed around one corner to where was located the shed. Here they found the sleigh and its contents just as it had been left by Glutts and Werner when they had procured the rice and the apricots. Randy carried a flashlight, and this was turned on so they might see what was stored there.
"A pretty complete lot of stuff," was Randy's comment, after they had looked over the various bundles and packages, each one of which was marked.
"Here is a bag of sugar and another bag of salt," announced Andy. "I think the flavor of each will be vastly improved by mixing them up a bit," and he grinned.
"And here's a bottle of vinegar and two bottles of catsup and maple syrup," came from Randy. "I think a little mixing up here will help matters also."
"Say, don't go too far!" cried Fred in alarm.
"Too far!" exclaimed Randy. "You couldn't go too far with Gabe Werner and Bill Glutts! Just remember what they did to us at Colby Hall and at the encampment. Both of those fellows are nothing but rascals. They didn't deserve to be taken in."
After that Fred joined the twins in "doctoring up the provisions," as Andy expressed it. The three had quite some fun doing this, and all returned to the bungalow grinning broadly.
"There will be something doing when they start to use those stores," chuckled Andy. "My, won't Glutts and Werner be mad!"
"They won't know we did it," returned his twin.
"They won't know it," answered Fred, "but they'll take it for granted, nevertheless. I'll tell you, fellows, I don't know about this," he added dubiously.
"Oh, don't worry," answered Andy gayly. "Gabe Werner and Bill Glutts deserve all that they are getting, and more too."
With nothing of importance to do and nobody to awaken them, the Rover boys and their chums slept late the next morning. Gif was the first to get up, and, seeing that the others were still asleep, he made as little noise as possible when he went out into the living-room to stir up the smouldering fire and place upon it a couple of extra logs.
"Hello, Gif! Up already?" came from Spouter, when the other cadet came back to finish his dressing. "What sort of a day is it?"
"Clear as crystal, Spouter. It couldn't be better."
"Then perhaps we'll get a chance to go out hunting."
"Perhaps." Gif looked doubtful for a moment. "I don't know that I care to leave this place until Glutts and Werner have gone."
"I don't blame you, Gif. It would be just like those mean chaps to try to do some damage before they left. They are not the kind to appreciate in the least what we have done for them."
"Hardly—after the way they kicked up about washing a few dishes. It made me sick."
Gif and Spouter began preparations for breakfast, and while they were at this the four Rovers appeared, one after another. The door to the room turned over to Glutts and Werner remained closed.
"Those fellows are certainly putting in some sleep," was Jack's comment.
"Shall I wake 'em up?" questioned Fred quickly.
"No. Let them take their own time," answered Gif. "With such fine weather they ought to have no trouble in getting away, and there is no use of another row before they start."
The lads prepared a generous breakfast of pancakes and some sausage meat that had been brought along from Timminsport, washed down with a copious supply of hot coffee. As they ate they cast sundry glances at the closed bedroom door, but saw no sign of Glutts or Werner.
"Gee! they must be sleeping like rocks," was Andy's comment.
"You'd think the smell of the pancakes and sausage would wake 'em up on such a cold morning as this," added his twin. "My! but it's good!"
"Perhaps they thought they wouldn't bother us about breakfast and take it out in sleep instead," suggested Fred.
"Say, did any of you fellows get up during the night to get something to eat—crackers or cheese, or anything like that?" questioned Gif quickly.
All of the others shook their heads.
"What makes you ask that question, Gif?" remarked Jack.
"Why, I saw a lot of crumbs scattered over the kitchen table and on the floor."
"Maybe Glutts and Werner got up to get something—" began Fred, and then a sudden idea came into his mind and he gave a start. "Gee! what would you say if they were gone?"
"Gone!" echoed the others.
"Maybe they're not in that room at all!" added Jack.
"I'll soon find out!" answered Gif, and, leaving the breakfast table, he went over and tried the bedroom door. It was unlocked, and he opened it and went inside.
"They're gone, all right enough," he called out, and immediately the others followed him into the room. Here they found the beds mussed up and empty. All of the things belonging to Glutts and Werner were gone and the single window of the room was wide open.
"That's a fine way to leave, I must say," grumbled Gif.
"Yes, and to leave this window wide open so the room can get as cold as a barn!" added Spouter, as he pulled down the sash. "Some mean fellows, believe me!"
"Let's see if the horse and sleigh are gone too!" cried Randy.
In a few minutes he and Fred were ready to go out, and they lost no time in hurrying down to the barn and the shed. Sure enough, the horse and sleigh were gone, and the barn door had been left wide open.
"I wonder when they went," remarked Fred.
"Most likely as soon as it was daylight. They probably had this all fixed last night. That's why they went to bed early."
"Well, it doesn't hurt my feelings to have them missing."
"I'd like to know if they took any of our things with them."
The two Rovers returned to the Lodge, and there told of what they had discovered. A search around the Lodge was immediately instituted, the boys looking over their clothing and firearms and then their stores and the regular belongings of the bungalow.
"As far as I can make out, there is only one flannel blanket from the bed missing," said Gif. "I suppose they took that along to keep warm on the ride. They didn't have but one small robe in the sleigh."
"I don't know about these stores," announced Spouter, who had been going over them carefully. "It seems to me we had more canned stuff than this—some green corn and asparagus, and also some canned salmon and sardines."
"I wouldn't put it past 'em to take anything they thought they needed," declared Fred. "They are just that sort, and everybody here knows it."
"All I can say is, 'Good riddance to bad rubbish,'" said Randy.
"And may we fail to see 'em again while we're in this vicinity," added his twin.
"My! but it's a real relief to have them gone," announced Jack. "Now we can do as we please and have the best times ever," and his face showed his pleasure.
Everybody felt glad to think the two bullies were gone, and soon they were chatting gayly. Then, after the breakfast dishes had been put away, all went outside and there indulged in a snowball fight which lasted the best part of the morning.
After such a glorious time in the open, all the cadets ought to have felt in the best of spirits, but it was observed by Jack at dinner time that Fred and the twins looked rather preoccupied. They were whispering together, and presently Randy spoke.
"I and Andy and Fred have been thinking that perhaps it would be best for us to let you other fellows know how matters stand," said he. "Maybe you won't approve of what we did. Just the same, we think Glutts and Werner deserve it." And thereupon he and the others related what had been done the evening before down at the shed. All of the others had to grin at the recital, yet Jack and Gif shook their heads.
"I don't blame you," said the oldest Rover boy. "Just the same, it may lead to more trouble."
"If they find out that you did it, they'll probably come here and try to pay us back," was Gif's comment.
"Let them come," announced Spouter. "I guess we can hold our own against them. I am glad we did something for them to remember us by, especially if they walked off with some of our stuff."
That afternoon the boys went hunting again, but on account of the heavy fall of snow did not go any great distance. They managed, however, to get two more rabbits, and also two squirrels, and two quail.
"Well, that's something, anyhow," declared Fred, who had laid one of the squirrels low. "A bird and squirrel potpie won't go bad for a change."
"Right-o!" cried Andy.
"Say, Gif, what's the matter with trying our hand at fishing through the ice?" questioned Jack. "The deep snow ought not to interfere with that sport."
"Just as you say. We can go down to the river to-morrow if the crowd is willing."
The day passed without their seeing or hearing any more of Werner and Glutts, nor did anyone come to disturb them through the night. Once Andy awoke to hear a noise at a distance, but he soon figured out that this was nothing more than a hoot owl.
Ten o'clock of the next day found them on the river bank. They had brought their fishing tackle with them, and also an axe with which to chop some holes through the ice.
"Pretty thick, I'm thinking," announced Jack, as they came out on the ice. "We'll have our own troubles making holes."
"How foolish we were not to bring our skates along!" cried Randy. "We could have a dandy skate." Their skates had been left up at the Lodge.
"Never mind, we'll skate some other time," said Spouter. "We're out for some fish to-day."
It took over half an hour to knock several fair-sized holes through the ice, and then the boys began their fishing, following directions that had been given to Gif by some of the older hunters.
"If I catch a whale I don't see how I'm going to bring him up through this hole," remarked Andy, with a grin.
"Oh, that's easy," returned his brother gayly. "All you'll have to do will be to jump in and push him up through the hole where I can get hold of him."
"Thank you, you can do the jumping in yourself. This water is about twenty degrees below Cicero."
"I was thinking that we could enlarge one of the holes and keep it open," said Jack, with a serious look on his face; "then all you fellows can come down here every morning and take a dip." At present they were obtaining water from a deep well directly outside of the kitchen.
They fished for a long time without getting even a nibble. But then Jack felt a gentle tug, and, after some little excitement, managed to bring out a fair-sized catch.
"Hurrah! The first fish!" he cried, holding it up proudly.
"And may he be the forerunner of many more," proclaimed Spouter.
"I want a whale," declared Randy.
Such a catch was an incentive to all of the others to do their best, and as a result inside of three hours the lads had eleven fish between them, some of fair size and others quite small, one, in fact, so tiny that it was thrown back into the stream, "so it might grow a little," as Fred expressed it.
"One o'clock!" announced Gif, looking at his watch. "I think we had better go back to the Lodge and have some of these fish fried for dinner."
"Second the commotion!" cried Randy quickly.
Properly fried, the freshly-caught fish proved delicious eating, and the boys lingered over the repast while a scrap of those which had been served was left. Half of the catch was packed away in snow to be served at another time.
The day had just come to an end when the boys heard a jingle of sleighbells on the road, and then came a whistle.
"It's Jed Wallop," announced Gif.
"Yes, and he's coming from the direction of Timminsport!" cried Fred. "He must have been down to the town."
"Look! He's holding up some letters!" ejaculated Jack. "Letters!"
"Letters! Letters!" was the general cry, and then the whole crowd of cadets rushed down to meet the old hunter.
While Gif was sorting out the mail, which included not only letters but also several packages which had been sent by parcel post, Jack and Spouter told the old hunter about the coming of the two bullies to the Lodge, and how they had sneaked away at daybreak.
"Accordin' to that, them fellers can't be very good friends o' yourn," remarked the old hunter dryly.
"They are our enemies," answered Spouter. "They did all sorts of mean things at Colby Hall, and when they were found out Werner got so scared that he ran away and never came back."
"I guess their folks ought to take 'em in hand. If they don't they'll be sorry fer it later on," said Wallop. "But I must be gittin' on now, fer I've got to git ready to-night fer a big day's work to-morrow."
"Some day we want you to come down here and go out hunting with us," said Jack. "Can't you show us where we can get a chance at a deer, or something else that is worth while?"
"Wot's the matter with stirrin' up a bear?" replied the old hunter, with a grin, his eyes twinkling.
"That would suit me to a T!" exclaimed Randy.
"Trot out your bears and we'll polish 'em off!" added his twin.
"Not many bears 'round here," announced Jed Wallop. "But you might strike something jest as bad, especially if the snow keeps on gittin' deeper. The wolves in this neighborhood git mighty pestiferous when they can't git nothin' to eat."
"Wolves!" exclaimed Fred. "Gee! I don't know that I want to run up against a savage wolf."
After promising to come down and see them during the following week, Jed Wallop drove off, leaving the boys to return to the Lodge and look over their letters and parcel post packages.
"Here is a letter from mother, and it encloses a letter from dad!" cried Jack, as he glanced over the epistle.
"I've got a letter from Mary," said Fred. "And here is one from May Powell, too."
"Who is your second letter from, Jack?" queried Spouter.
"Oh, never you mind about that."
"Looks as if it might be in Ruth Stevenson's handwriting," said Andy, with a grin.
There were letters for everybody. Two of the packages were from the Rover boys' homes, and the third had been sent to Spouter by his mother.
"A fruit cake!" exclaimed Fred, as he opened the package addressed to him. "I'll tell you! It takes my mother to remember what us fellows like," and he smacked his lips.
The other package, addressed to Andy and Randy, contained a box of home-made sugar cookies, while that which Spouter had received contained a long loaf of ginger cake and a box of hard candies.
"Well, one thing is sure—they haven't forgotten us," was Spouter's remark, as he passed the candies around.
All the boys were anxious to read their letters, and for the time being everything else was forgotten. Mrs. Dick Rover wrote that nothing of importance had happened at home since they had gone away. Ruth Stevenson and May Powell were still with them, but all of the girls expected to go to the Stevenson homestead to finish their school vacation.
The letter from Dick Rover had been sent from the battlefront in France. In it he related how he and his brothers, as well as some of their old school chums, had been in a number of small engagements. In one of these Tom and Sam Rover had been slightly wounded by the fragments from a shell, and he himself had been in a gas attack, but had escaped without serious injury. All had been sent to the field hospital to be treated, but now they were once more at the front in what were called their winter quarters.
"The Boches are watching us like a cat watches a mouse, and we are equally on the alert," wrote Dick Rover. "There have been no big battles, but sniping is going on constantly, and several of our men have been killed or wounded. We are all anxious to have the cold weather break up, so that we can go forward and finish this war. We feel that we can wallop the enemy, if only we have a chance to get at them."
"That's dad, all right," murmured Jack admiringly. He had read the letter aloud for the benefit of the others.
"Oh, dear! I hope dad wasn't seriously hurt," murmured Fred.
"I think if our fathers were very badly hurt Uncle Dick would let us know," answered Randy. "He isn't one to hold back news—he knows we want the truth."
"If only this war was over!" remarked Andy, and now there was little of his usual light-heartedness in his tone. "I won't feel at ease until our soldiers are bound for home."
The six cadets talked over the letters they had received for some time. They had brought stationery with them, and they spent the evening writing letters in return.
"I don't see how we're going to get these down to Timminsport unless we walk down there," remarked Jack. "And a walk of five or six miles through this snow each way wouldn't be an easy job."
"I know what we can do," replied Gif. "We can skate down the river to a place called Henryville. There is a post-office there, and letters are sent over to Timminsport at least once a day."
"How far is it to Henryville?" questioned Randy.
"Oh, not more than three miles."
"Do you suppose the skating is any good?"
"I don't see why it shouldn't be."
"Let's do it!" broke in Spouter. "We wanted to have a skate anyway. We can take our guns along, in case we see any game." And so it was arranged.
The next day dawned bright and clear, and after breakfast the boys got their letters and their skates and started for the river.
"I'll wager we'll find the ice covered with snow in some places," remarked Randy.
"I don't know about that," answered Gif. "I was hoping the high wind had swept it pretty clean."
They were soon on the ice, their skates ringing merrily as they struck out into an impromptu race. They swept down the river and around a broad bend, and were soon well out of sight of the tract of forest land upon which the Lodge was located.
"I hope Glutts and Werner don't visit the bungalow during our absence," remarked Spouter.
"Well, that's a risk we've got to run," answered Jack. "We can't remain at home all the time."
"Exactly so!" put in Gif. "And it would be no fun for some of us to stay behind on guard while the others were off enjoying themselves."
For the most part they found the river swept clear of snow, although here and there were drifts more or less deep over which they had to plough their way as best they could. This, however, was nothing but fun for the lads, and nobody complained.
Arriving at Henryville, they found that the mail for Timminsport would go out in less than an hour, and also learned that the mail from that place came in twice daily, morning and evening.
"Let's have all our mail re-addressed from Timminsport to Henryville," suggested Fred; "then we can come down here on our skates any time we feel like it and get it." And this was done.
They found a fairly good general store at Henryville, and made a few purchases of such things as they thought they could use to advantage during their outing. They were about to start up the river again when Jack's attention was attracted to a large sleigh drawn by a pair of powerful horses. The sleigh was driven by a man who looked as if he might be a German, and on the back seat, wedged in by a number of packages, were two other German-looking individuals.
"One of those men on the back seat is that Herman Crouse, the fellow we rescued from the burning car," said Jack to the others.
"Yes, and that driver and the other man are two of the fellows we met on the road when we were trying to locate the Lodge," added Randy.
"It's queer that that Herman Crouse should be up here," said Fred.
"Oh, I don't know. He said he worked a small farm somewhere in this vicinity."
"I thought it was down near Enwood," remarked Spouter.
"One thing certain—I don't like the looks of those other Germans," came from Gif. "They look like mighty suspicious characters to me."
Even had the boys wished to do so, they got no opportunity to speak to the man they had rescued from the burning railroad car. The sleigh had stopped at a house in Henryville, and now it passed on around a corner of the road, and was soon lost to sight in the woods.
Now that they knew their letters were on the way, the cadets were in no hurry to get back to the Lodge. They had brought along a few sandwiches and now purchased some fresh doughnuts, in case they stayed away from the Lodge during the lunch hour.
"Let's take our time and skate up one or two branches of this river," suggested Gif. "It will be easier than walking, and we may have a chance at some game."
All were willing, and it was suggested that Gif led the way, which he did. They left the main stream and started up a smaller watercourse leading directly into the forest.
"I just saw a rabbit!" exclaimed Randy presently. "There he is now!" and, raising his gun, he fired quickly. But his aim was not good, and the bunny hopped behind a tree and out of sight.
"Too bad you had to take a shot for nothing," remarked Fred. "That may put the other game in this vicinity on the alert."
Soon they came to a point where skating was not so easy. At first they thought to go back, but then it was suggested that they tramp along the frozen-up watercourse on foot.
"I was thinking we might run across some brook mink up here," said Gif. "Or some ducks."
"Oh, I'd like to get a mink or a duck if there are any in this vicinity," answered Jack.
On they tramped until a good quarter of a mile had been covered. Then they caught sight of several rabbits, and brought down two of them. Later still they saw a squirrel, but though Spouter shot at the frisky creature, it managed to elude him.
"Well, we can't expect to bag everything we shoot at," consoled Jack.
"I think I know of a short cut from here to the Lodge," said Gif. "So if you would rather tramp through the woods than go back by way of the river, we might do so and get a chance at some other game."
"All right, Gif; lead the way," said Jack, and they went forward under Gif's guidance.
They were deep in the forest when they heard a whir overhead. They looked up quickly to see a number of partridges sailing past close to the tree tops.
"Quick!" yelled Jack, and blazed away, while all of the others did the same.
There was no time wasted in shooting at the partridges which were flying along so close to the tree tops. The six cadets did their best but four of the charges went wild. The aim of Jack and Gif was effective, and one wounded partridge came fluttering down to the snow while another dropped dead on the branches of a nearby cedar.
"Hurrah! we've got two of them, anyhow," cried Gif, as he reached forward and quickly put the wounded bird out of its misery.
"We've got two provided we can reach that one up in the tree," answered Jack. "I'm afraid it's going to be some climb to get it down."
"That's so," said Randy.
"Oh, I can get up there in no time!" cried Andy gayly. "Here, take my gun," and with his usual agility he was soon mounting the branches of the big tree, taking particular delight in shaking down great masses of loose snow on the heads of those below.
As is usual with cedars, the branches were close together, and Andy soon found he would have his own troubles in reaching the point where the dead partridge rested. However, he kept on, worming his way upward as best he could, until he was within a few feet of the prize.
"Some climb, believe me!" he called out to those below. "This tree is almost as close-grown as a cedar bush."
Up went Andy, and presently managed to get hold of the dead partridge and drew the game toward him. Just as he did this he heard a peculiar sound a few feet below him on the other side of the tree.
"Hello! is somebody following me?" he questioned, looking down to see what the movement among the branches below meant.
There was no reply to his question, and Andy came to the conclusion that the branches must have become crossed in some way and then loosened themselves. He continued his descent, but just as he reached a branch two feet further down a peculiar cry came to his alert ears, a cry not unlike that of an angry cat.
"Hello! something is up in this tree, that is sure," he told himself.
He listened, and then heard another cry, this time less than two yards below him, coming from one of the larger branches of the big cedar. At once he sent up a shout.
"What's wanted?" questioned his twin. "Why don't you hurry up down so we can do some more hunting?"
"There is some wild animal in this tree!" answered Andy. "I don't know what it is, but it sounds like a wildcat."
"A wildcat!" burst out several of the others.
"And Andy hasn't any gun!" cried Gif. "Come on, let us see if we can't shoot the thing!"
"Go slow there," cautioned Jack. "Let us see if we can't locate it and find out what it is first. We don't want it to attack Andy while he is unarmed."
"Are you in any danger, Andy?" called out Fred.
"Where is the cat—or whatever it is?" asked Randy.
"It's just below me somewhere. I can't see it, but I can hear it plainly enough. It's moving around in those lower branches. I guess I had better stay up here for a while;" and as he spoke Andy mounted to a higher limb. With no weapon handy, he had no desire to face any wild animal.
Those below slowly circled the big cedar, keeping their eyes on the alert for a view of whatever might be prowling around among the branches. They had their guns ready for use, but realized that they must fire with great caution, or otherwise they might hit the lad who was in peril.
"I suppose the wildcat, or whatever it is, was up in the tree and didn't know what to do when Andy started to come up. The beast knew we were down here, or otherwise it would probably have jumped down and run off."
"Squirrels don't cry like a cat, and I heard that beast just cry," said Jack. "All squirrels do is to chatter."
"There's another danger," said Gif. "If we come too close to that tree we'll probably drive the wildcat, or whatever it is, up to where Andy is."
"Here's the bird!" shouted Andy from above, and threw the partridge down and away from the tree.
Jack and Andy's twin took a few steps closer to the big cedar, at the same time holding their guns ready for instant use. They peered upward among the snow-laden branches, and presently caught sight of a slinking form resting in a crotch of the tree.
"There it is!" exclaimed Randy, and was on the point of firing when the wildcat—for such it had proved to be—dropped out of sight and leaped to a branch on the other side of the tree trunk.
"Hi there! don't drive that beast up here," called out Andy.
"Andy," called back his twin suddenly, "weren't you carrying that flashlight?"
"No, I left it at the Lodge. I didn't think I would want it on the trip to Henryville."
"I've got my flashlight," remarked Gif. "Here it is," and he brought it forth.
The light was flashed up into the tree and around from branch to branch. As the rays traveled through the cedar there was a sudden wild cry from the animal, and then came a swish and a whirr as the wildcat sprang to the outer end of a limb and then down into the snow.
Bang! bang! bang! went the guns in the hands of Gif, Randy, and Spouter. But whether they hit the wildcat or not, they could not tell. There was a whirl in the snow, and then in a twinkling the beast had disappeared into the forest behind them.