Part 16 (1/2)

”Let us find out what it was!” cried Harry.

”Doan go!” moaned Blumpo. ”You will git chewed up!”

And then he dove back into the tent for his ”hoss” pistol and his rusty spear.

Catching up a blazing brand, Jerry threw it into the brush. By the light they saw the creature crouching on a rock.

Bang! bang!

The two guns spoke simultaneously. Harry hit the beast in the shoulder.

Jerry's shot was more effective for it struck in the neck, and with a snarl the creature leaped into the air and fell--dead.

”You've settled him!” cried Harry. ”Come on and inspect him.”

”Wait and load your gun first,” cautioned our hero. ”He may have some fight in him still.”

The weapons were put in order, and then, with firebrands to light the way, they moved forward to inspect their victim.

It was a large and heavy boar.

”A wild hog!” shouted Jerry. ”My, what a big fellow he is!”

”I thought it was a bear,” said Harry. He was somewhat disappointed.

”He was savage enough, at all events,” replied Jerry. ”These wild hogs put up a terrible fight, father says.”

”Oh, I know that. Wasn't d.i.c.k Harben's uncle killed by one? Well, he's dead enough and we have meat to last a month.”

”Pretty strong eating,” smiled Jerry.

They called Blumpo. The homeless youth was delighted over the dead animal.

”'Ham's de best ob meat,'” he sang. ”I'll soon fix him up, see if I don't.”

The boys were glad that it was getting toward morning, for the excitement had taken all the sleep out of them. They replenished the fire, and sat around waiting for daybreak.

As soon as the sun rose, Blumpo prepared breakfast, while Jerry and Harry took a plunge into the lake. It was great sport, and they remained in the water until Blumpo called them.

That day the boys tramped nearly two miles around the island. They took their guns with them and came back with their game bags full of birds.

Returning, they were thoroughly tired out, but nevertheless resolved to set a watch.

”Four hours each,” said Harry, and this was agreed to.

But nothing happened to disturb them, and on the following night the watch was abandoned.

The boys put in nearly a week in hunting, fis.h.i.+ng, swimming, and lying around, and they enjoyed every minute of the time.