The Boy Scouts in A Trapper's Camp

  CHAPTER XVI

  THE CONFERENCE

  Sparrer's eyelids fluttered, then slowly lifted. Dully anduncomprehendingly he stared up at a fretwork of bare brown branchesagainst a background of blue. Where was he? What had happened? Then athrob of pain in his head cleared his senses and memory returned all toovividly. His brows contracted in a black scowl, and slowly and painfullyhe rolled over and got to his feet, staring about for his assailant. Butof the outlaw there was no sign save the broken crust where the axe hadplunged through. Nor was there any trace of the black fox save a littlespot of crimson and two or three black hairs where the animal had lain.

  How long he had been unconscious he had no means of knowing, but itcould not have been long, or he would have been frost-bitten. As it washe was merely chilled and numb from the cold. His head ached badly, andpassing a mittened hand over it he found a big lump where the axe hadhit him. Moreover, he felt sick to his stomach, dizzy and weak. But forhis physical ailments he had no thought. Wrath, black, boiling rage,surged over him. He had been robbed! He had been treacherouslyoutwitted! For the moment it was the latter fact rather than the formerthat was the cause of his hot resentment. He, Sparrer Muldoon, who hadlived by his wits ever since he could remember, had been caught napping!

  "An' me wid de drop on him!" he exclaimed bitterly. "He put me down ferde count, but it was a foul, an' Oi wasn't lookin' fer no foul. Servesme right." He smiled bitterly. "Oi ought t'known better than t' give himan openin'. Serves me right fer listenin' t' his spiel. If ever Oi getde drop on him again he'll wish he'd never set eyes on Sparrer Muldoon."

  This was idle boasting, and Sparrer knew it. The chances that he wouldever again set eyes on the wily redskin were exceedingly slim. Still, itwas possible that Pat and Alec might be able to pick up his trail, andthe sooner they were put wise to the affair the better. He would getback to camp as soon as possible. He picked up his rifle, and even as hedid so a new thought flashed across his mind. Why tell of his experienceat all? Why mention the black fox? He could explain the bump on his headby saying that he had slipped and fallen, striking his head against alog. Pat and Alec need never know that he had lost the rare pelt forthem for all time, nor that he had been such a tenderfoot as to beoutwitted by an Indian on whom he already had the drop. Why say a wordabout it? To tell would be likely to win for himself nothing butcontempt--contempt for his weakness in parleying with the outlaw, andfor his stupidity in being outwitted.

  But there was a hope, a faint one, to be sure, but still a hope, that bysome special favor of Providence Pat and Alec might be able to trace hisassailant and recover the skin. Not to tell would be to surrenderwithout a fight, and this was directly contrary to the boy's nature. Adouble motive urged him to leave no stone unturned that might lead tothe capture of the Indian--the desire to recover the rich prize and thespirit of revenge. He could tell of the robbery without in any waycommitting himself in the matter of the temptation which had led to theparley with the outlaw. This is what he would do. He didn't want hiscompanions to think worse of him than was absolutely necessary.

  So with his mind made up to this course he headed for camp."Click-clack, coward! Click-clack, coward!" His very shoes mocked him.He tried to shut out the sound, but he could not. Had Edward Muldoon,Boy Scout, won over Sparrer Muldoon, street gamin, only to lose in theend? Where the trail led close to the end of the big beaver dam hestopped abruptly and a last brief battle was fought between Scout andgamin. When it was over he pushed on with an eagerness he had not feltbefore, for the Scout had triumphed, and this time he knew that thevictory was final. He would tell the _whole_ story from beginning to endand spare himself nothing. "Youse ain't no quitter!" he muttered tohimself fiercely. "Youse is goin' ter tell de truth, de whole truth andnothing but de truth."

  His progress was slow and his snow-shoes seemed strangely heavy. Thefierce conflict within, not less than the effects of the blow he hadsuffered, had left him physically weak. He felt light-headed. Hisnervous system had received a shock from which he was now feeling theeffects. He was possessed of a desire to sit down and rest every fewminutes. But he set his jaws grimly and plodded on. Upton was outsidethe cabin splitting wood as he approached. He looked up as theclick-clack of snow-shoes caught his attention and seeing that it wasSparrer called cheerily, "What luck?"

  A shadow of his old-time impudent grin flashed across Sparrer's face ashe replied, "What luck wud ye be expecting with a tenderfoot loike me?"

  "The greatest luck in the world. It's always that way in stories,"retorted Upton. Then he noticed the pale face of the younger lad, anddropping his axe he sprang forward, "Say, boy, what's happened?" hedemanded anxiously. "You're white as a sheet. Are you hurt or have youhad a fright? Spit it out!"

  "A little of both, Oi guess," confessed Sparrer, sitting down wearily ona handy log. "Are de others back yet?"

  "Not yet, but they're coming now," replied Upton as a faint yell reachedthem. "That's Hal, and by the sound of his voice they've had luck ofsome kind. But what happened to you?"

  "It's a long story, and Oi'll tell it when de others get here," repliedSparrer. "Oi think Oi'll go in and get a d-d-rink of somethin' h-hot."His teeth chattered. It was the result of nervous reaction quite as muchas cold. Upton, with real concern in his face, sprang forward and put anarm around the shaking youngster and led him into the cabin, thenhastened to make him a cup of hot soup. With this in his stomach Sparrerrapidly recovered and by the time Pat, Alec and Hal arrived, the latterwhooping joyously, he was quite himself. They brought with them threemarten and a fisher.

  When these had been duly admired Upton demanded that Sparrer tell hisstory, and this he did, sparing himself nothing. At the first mention ofthe black fox there was an eager leaning forward on the part of all hislisteners, and when he told of the successful shot Hal whooped with joy.

  "Where is he?" he demanded.

  "Oi don't know," replied Sparrer, and could not restrain a ratherpathetic grin at the blank look of astonishment that swept over the foureager faces. Then he hurried on, blurting out a full confession of histemptation and winding up with the incident of the axe throwing and hisfinal recovery of consciousness.

  "De skunk didn't even leave me de rabbit," he concluded.

  The faces of Pat and Alec had changed rapidly from interest andastonishment to seriousness, anger and determination. Both knew thatmurder and nothing less had been back of the throwing of that axe, andthat it was merely the accident of good fortune that Sparrer was withthem now instead of lying a corpse out there in the beaver swamp. Patreached forward and pulled Sparrer's cap from his head, disclosing anugly lump where the blow had fallen. Till that moment no one had noticedthat the boy had kept his cap on.

  "You may thank the good God that it was the handle and not the bladethat struck you, son. 'Twas He alone that saved you this time,"exclaimed the big fellow, a note of reverence in his voice. "'Tis anugly bump," he added, passing his fingers lightly over the swelling."'Tis a wonder it didn't break your skull, as it was. The cap saved you,I guess. Why didn't you tell us you had that nasty lump, you youngspalpeen? It ought to have been treated long ago."

  "It ain't nothing," replied Sparrer sheepishly, for he hated to have afuss made over him.

  Upton was already heating water and preparing a bandage. As soon as thewater was hot he added a little tincture of arnica, and despiteSparrer's protests a hot bandage was soon applied, and he was forced toadmit that it brought almost immediate relief. This attention havingbeen given the victim Pat called a conference.

  "It's plain enough," said he, "that this is the work of one of theblack-hearted crooks who have been stealing our furs, for 'tis my beliefthat there is probably more than one and likely not over two." Alecnodded concurrence with this belief. "That they'll stop at nothingSparrer's experience proves. I've known murder to be committed for lessthan the price of a prime black fox pelt. Now that they've got it 'tislike that they will pull camp at once rather than take the chance ofbeing discovered. On the othe
r hand they may think that their camp is sowell hidden that they can just lie low. If, as I suspect, they have beenrun out of one of the Canadian lumber camps, this may be what they willdo. They know that Sparrer here is a tenderfoot and that there is onlyhis word against theirs. Besides, they can hide the pelt and deny allknowledge of it. Sparrer hasn't a shred of proof but the lump on hishead, and it would take more than that to convince a court of law inthese parts that he had killed a genuine black fox.

  "It's my opinion that their camp is a whole lot nearer than Alec hassupposed. There are plenty of draws back in these hills where a campcould be hidden and discovered only by chance, unless some one wasmaking special search for it. The fact that that bloody-minded Injun washanging around the beaver pond so late in the day is evidence enoughfor me that his camp isn't many miles away. I'll bet it's within fivemiles of us this blessed minute. They probably located our trap lines,then built their camp in a place we were not likely to visit and then byworking back up through the hills kept their trail hidden, and crossedon the ice to work our long lines, as Alec suspects. They left our shortlines alone, partly because they could not get at them without leaving atrail in the soft snow and partly so as not to arouse suspicion.

  "With the crust they could go where they pleased, and the Injun took thechance to do a little poaching on the beaver pond, knowing that we wouldleave it alone. He probably saw Sparrer when he uncovered that trap andfollowed him through the woods either with the idea of finding out ifthe youngster suspected anything and then frightening him into holdinghis tongue or else just to keep track of his movements. He saw thekilling of the fox and decided that the fortune in that pelt was worthany risk.

  "What he told Sparrer about the skin belonging to Alec and me isn'ttrue. This is a free country, and the free creatures belong to whoevercan get them. If the critter had been in one of our traps it would havebeen a different matter. Then it would have been our property. But thecritter belonged to nobody until it was killed, and when Sparrer knockedit over every hair on that black hide belonged to him and to no oneelse. The cunning redskin made up that yarn to tempt Sparrer, and therewasn't a particle of truth in it. Now the question is, what are we goingto do to get back Sparrer's property? If it was just an ordinary red foxor even a marten the case would be different, though even then I'd befor getting it back, and running those thieving poachers out of thecountry. As it is, we owe it to Sparrer to try to get that skin. What'syour idea, Alec?"

  Alec leaned forward and poked the fire. "Ye ken that the moon's full thenight," said he slowly. "I am thinking that you and me might take a bitof a look around. If we could find the camp it would be time enough todecide what to do next. I dinna think that with that prize they will bestaying in these pairts long, and what is done has got to be donequickly. I have no suspicioned that the camp was handy till now. I am nosaying that I think so now," he hastened to add with characteristicScotch caution, "but I will admit that it is possible. Ye ken there isno nook or hollow of these hills that I dinna ken every foot of. I hidout here once myself. We can leave the laddies to get a wee bit of sleepwhile we have a look in the most likely places."

  "No, you don't!" protested Hal. "If there's any game like that afoot youcan count us in, can't they, fellows?"

  Upton and Sparrer voiced eager assent, but Pat shook his head. "Nothingdoing," he declared. "Alec and I are responsible for the safety of youfellows and you'll stay right here and keep this little old cabin fromrunning away. Besides," he added, noting the disappointment in the threefaces, "this is no play-scouting; it is men's work and only for thosewho know the country. Two are all that are needed and more would doublethe chances of giving alarm. If Alec and I can locate the camp we mayneed your help to-morrow in rounding up the thieves. So you will be goodlittle boys and stay right here until you're needed. I was thinking ofthe moon before Alec spoke. When it is up 'twill be almost as light asday. 'Twill do no harm for us to have a look around. Alec says true thathe knows every foot of these hills and hollows. I know them pretty wellmyself, and if those birds of ill omen, bad cess to the likes of them,do not fly too soon we'll come pretty close to locating 'em inside thenext twenty-four hours. There's no use in starting before the moon iswell up. Meanwhile we'll have supper. I have no mind to travel on anempty stomach, and I've the appetite of a lumber-horse this very minute.Any of that bear-steak left, Alec?"

  Alec promptly produced the desired meat and it was soon sizzling overthe fire. While they ate they discussed what should be done in case thecamp of the outlaws was discovered.

  "Do you suppose they will fight?" asked Hal eagerly.

  "Look at Sparrer there and ask sensible questions," returned Patsarcastically. "Is a man who would attempt cold-blooded murder likelyto come at a whistle like a good doggie? We've got to take them bysurprise, or somebody is likely to get hurt. That is why I want you boysto keep out of it. This isn't your business; it's Alec's and mine."

  "How about me? Youse said a while ago that that skin is mine," piped upSparrer.

  "So it is, me bantam, but your own skin is worth more to you than allthe silver foxes that ever lived, and if you cannot keep it wholeyourself it's up to us to keep it whole for you," retorted Pat. "Itisn't just the matter of that fox skin," he continued. "I'm guessingthat Alec and I have a good sized stake in the skins cached in that campright now. We had a little unpleasantness with those sneaking robbers ofhonest men to settle as soon as you left and this has simply forced it alittle sooner. It's our job, and you fellows are to stay out. That'sfinal."

  They knew by the tone of his voice that no amount of begging or argumentwould avail them in the least. They knew, too, that Pat was right in hisstand. They were his guests and as such entailed upon him a certainresponsibility for their safety and welfare.

  "But, Pat, can't we be in at the finish?" pleaded Hal. "Gee! Think of areal scrap going on under our very noses and we not seeing it!"

  "Depends on what the finish is," replied Pat. "I'll promise you thismuch, that if there is anything to see, or if you can help without therisk of stopping a bullet or a knife, you shall have a chance. Atpresent it looks like a dangerous game, but we'll know more when we'vefound that camp. The greatest help you can give us now is to stay righthere. We'll be back before daylight and by that time we will knowenough, I hope, to plan some action. Alec, it'll be a couple of hoursyet before we can start. Suppose we turn in for a bit of rest. It'slittle enough we're likely to get for the next twenty-four hours. We'llleave the lads to put the camp in order."

  This the boys were only too glad to do while the two trappers stretchedout in their bunks and rested. Two hours later Pat arose and peeped out.The moon flooded the hollow with light and he grunted his satisfaction.A few minutes later he and Alec slipped out, and almost at once werelost in the heavy shadows of the evergreens. Each carried his rifle, andthe two faces were set and grim. There was something sinister in thissilent departure, and as they vanished into the vast brooding wildernessthe three boys instinctively drew nearer together. Hal shrugged hisshoulders and laughed, but somehow his laugh sounded oddly forced.

  "Somebody kick me and tell me if I'm awake," said he, throwing anotherlog on the fire. "You read about such things and think it's a bullystory, but somehow the story seems more real than the reality. Of coursenothing's going to happen to Pat and Alec, yet just the same they areout with rifles hunting sure enough bad men, and if there's any shootingsomebody's likely to be hurt. If it wasn't for Sparrer's bandaged headthere I'd think I was dreaming. How's the old nut feel anyway, Sparrer?"

  "Better, but sore enough t' let me know dis ain't no dream," returnedthe younger lad. "Say!" he exploded abruptly. "What will de fellers saywhen we get back an' tell 'em we been fightin' outlaws an' that Oi getsa knockout from a sure-enough Injun? Bet dey'll wish dey was in myshoes."

  Upton laughed. He was still boy enough to appreciate Sparrer's feelings."As long as you had to get it I'm glad it was a real redskin who put itacross," said he. "As for fighting, it doesn't look to m
e as if we weregoing to see any of it. Pat isn't going to take any chances on one of usgetting hurt. It makes me sick every time I think of the close callSparrer had. If Pat and Alec find the camp of those brutes they won't doanything rash. They'll try to trap 'em some way. They're right about us,but just the same I wish we could be in it somehow. I'd like to see thefinish."

  "Perhaps we shall yet," Hal spoke hopefully. "Shall we turn in?"

  "What's the use?" returned Upton. "I couldn't sleep a wink until Pat andAlec get back. We ought to keep the fire going and have something hotready for them when they get in."

  "Suits me," declared Hal. "I couldn't sleep either."

  Sparrer was of the same opinion, so they sat before the fire andspeculated on what was happening out there in the forest. Sparrer wasplied with questions about his adventure and told the story over sographically that the thrill of it sent little shivers down the backs ofhis listeners. At times they sat in silence wondering if they might heardistant rifle shots. And so the night wore on, the most exciting nightin their experience, and yet a night in which so far as they wereconcerned nothing happened.