Part 33 (1/2)
”All safe?” was his first question.
”All safe,” was the answer.
”Thet ghost didn't eat ye up then? Thought, by what Ham Spink said, ye'd be about dead when I got here,” and Jed Sanborn smiled grimly.
”Where did you see Ham?” asked the doctor's son.
”Down to Fairview.”
”When?”
”Day before yesterday.”
”Then they didn't remain at Lake Cameron!” cried Snap.
”They was a-going to, but they got into some sort o' a quarrel an' that broke the party up,” explained the old hunter. ”Ham an' Carl Dudder said the ghost came after 'em something terribul.
Wall, I believe it---after what I see myself,” and jed shook his head slowly. ”You ain't had no trouble?”
”We've heard strange voices, that's all,” answered Whopper. ”We haven't seen the ghost.”
The old hunter soon told his story in detail. It seemed that Ham Spink and his cronies had told a terrible tale of being pursued by the ghost, and of hearing awful groans and cries, and this had alarmed Mrs. Caslette very much and also Mrs. Dodge, and both ladies had requested the old hunter to visit the lake and make sure the young hunters were in no trouble.
”This lake is gittin' an awful repertation,” said Jed Sanborn.
”If it keeps on, afore long n.o.body will come here no more.”
”We'd like to settle this ghost business,” said Snap. ”We feel sure it can be explained in some way or another.”
”Well, maybe, but---” Jed Sanborn drew a deep breath. ”Don't you go for to run no unnecessary risks, that's all.”
”Oh, we'll certainly try to keep out of danger,” answered the doctor's son.
”Your mother wants you to be partickerly careful,” said Jed to Giant. ”She says she wouldn't know what to do if something happened ye.”
”Tell her I shall take good care of myself,” answered the small member of the club.
Jed Sanborn told them that everything was going on at Fairview as usual. He had some letters for the lads, which they read with interest. He said he would remain with them until the next morning, and promised to take back such letters as they might write.
”If you stay over you might as well go on a hunt with us,” said Snap, and then he related how their meat had been stolen.
”Wildcats did that,” announced Jed Sanborn, after a close examination.
”Two on 'em---most likely mates. It will be a ticklish job trying to track 'em.”
”Oh, we've shot wildcats before,” said Whopper.
”Not the kind that's around here, my boy. These are the wildest and strongest kind. Howsomever, we can go after 'em if you say so.
When do you want to start?”
”Have you had breakfast?” asked Snap.