Part 28 (1/2)
The repast over, they started on the return, Jed helping with first one drag and then the other. He also pointed out what he thought would be the easiest route to follow. This was over two hills.
”Well have to climb, but we won't fall down between any o' the rocks,”
he said. ”It's dangerous walking over rocks with snow on 'em, for if you go down in a hollow you're liable to twist an ankle or break a leg.”
”We certainly don't want any accidents,” said Shep.
”How the eyes of Ham Spink and his crowd would stick out if they knew we had bagged so much game!” exclaimed Whopper. ”If they had such luck they'd never get done talking about it.”
”Do you think they'll come out this winter?” questioned Giant.
”I don't know,” answered Snap. ”If they do come out I hope they keep away from us.”
”So do I,” put in the doctor's son.
CHAPTER XX
SHOOTING WILD DUCKS
When the boys and Jed Sanborn reached camp a surprise awaited them.
Seated at a small fire in front of Birch Tree Inn was an elderly man dressed in the outfit of a mountain guide.
”Why, it's Jack Dalton!” cried Shep.
”Hullo, boys!” called the man at the fire, rising. ”Thought as how you'd be back some time to-day. How are ye, Jed?” he added, to the old hunter.
Jack Dalton, as my old readers know, was a guide of that vicinity, well known to all the inhabitants for miles around. He had visited the boys' camp during the summer and had been friendly in more ways than one.
”Thought I might get a shakedown here for the night,” said Jack Dalton. ”Been hoofing it sence five o'clock this morning--over from Philbrook's preserve--and I'm too tuckered out to make Fairview.”
”Certainly you can stay with us,” answered Snap. ”Had any luck?”
”A few rabbits and some ducks, that's all. Gee shoo! Do you mean to say you got them deer an' that buck to-day?”
”We did.”
”Gosh all hemlock! No wonder a feller like me can't get nuthin! That's rare luck; eh, Jed?”
”It was,” answered the old hunter. ”They don't expect to do it again in a hurry.”
The shelter was opened up and all went inside and prepared a generous supper. Jack Dalton insisted upon giving the boys one of the ducks he had brought down, in return for the accommodations received. On their part they gave the guide a generous chunk of venison, for which he was exceedingly thankful.
”I'd like to go out duck shooting,” said Whopper. ”It would be something different.”
”No ducks around Firefly Lake,” answered Giant. ”I asked Jed.”
Jack Dalton was questioned and said that there were plenty of wild ducks below the Philbrook preserve--at a locality known as the Marshes--and he told them how to get there.
”But you want to be careful about walking over the Marshes,” he said.