Part 34 (1/2)

”We are looking for a fellow named Werner who hired one of these shacks,” answered Gif.

”Who are you?” repeated the man sharply, and then Gif recognized Tony Duval.

”I am the son of one of the men who own Cedar Lodge. We want to find Werner and the two fellows who are with him.”

”Aha! So you are the young fellows from Cedar Lodge who made so much trouble for Mistaire Werner and his friends,” cried Tony Duval. ”He has told me all about that.”

”Did he tell you what he did down at Cedar Lodge?” demanded Jack.

”He say he would square the account. Why should he not do that? You have no right to destroy his things and hurt his horse.”

”We didn't touch his horse!” answered Fred quickly.

”His horse is gone lame, and he say you do that,” cried Tony Duval. ”I do not want such people as you around my place. You can go back, and you must stay off my property,” and Tony Duval emphasized his words by handling his shotgun suggestively.

”If Werner and his friend are here we want to see them,” cried Jack sharply. ”Which shack do they live in?”

”They live there.” Duval pointed with his thumb. ”They are not at home now. They go on a hunt. But you shall not make more trouble for them or you will hear from me,” and again he handled his gun suggestively. The man's face was very red and looked as if he had been drinking. Evidently he was in an ugly humor.

After that the cadets attempted to argue with Tony Duval, but all to no purpose. He was very stubborn, and he insisted upon it that they had already made a great deal of trouble for his patrons. He finally ordered them away, and acted so threateningly that they retired.

”Well, we've had our walk for nothing,” remarked Fred, when they were in the woods again.

”I don't know about that,” answered Randy. ”Let us keep our eyes open.

Maybe we'll run across Werner and Glutts.”

The four Rovers and their chums walked leisurely through the woods, keeping their eyes open for the possible appearance of their enemies, and also for any game that might present itself. Thus the best part of an hour went by, and they managed to bring down one more rabbit and also a squirrel. Then they heard some shooting at a distance, and walked cautiously in that direction.

”There they are!” cried Randy presently, and pointed out of the woods and across a small clearing.

All looked in the direction indicated, and there saw Werner, Glutts, and Codfish. Each had a gun, and the three had been shooting at a number of rabbits. Only Werner had been successful, the others shooting wide of the mark.

”Let us circle the clearing and surprise them,” said Jack, and to this the others immediately agreed.

With caution they made their way around the clearing, doing their best to remain hidden from the other boys. They had no desire to be mistaken for game and shot at, so they had to keep their eyes on the alert as they advanced.

Werner and his cronies had pa.s.sed into the woods, and now were making their way down a hillside into a hollow where they had built a fair-sized campfire. As the Rovers and their chums came closer they saw the three sitting around the campfire and evidently getting ready to have a midday lunch.

”Come on! We're six to three, so we ought to be able to manage those fellows with ease!” cried Fred.

”Wait a minute! I've got an idea!” exclaimed Randy, holding his cousin back.

”What is it?” questioned Spouter.

”Do you see how much higher the other side of the slope is?” went on Andy. ”Well, that slope runs right down to where they are sitting and have their fire. Now a few big s...o...b..a.l.l.s started down that slope--”

”I've got you, Andy!” burst out his twin, with twinkling eyes. ”It will be great! Come on, fellows, we'll smother 'em with snow!”

CHAPTER XXIII