Part 44 (1/2)

The animal he had fired at had been running across a small opening between the trees. At the first shot the game had made a turn, and at the second had given a leap and disappeared into a small hollow filled with snow.

When the boys reached the hollow all they could see at first was the snow which had been kicked in several directions. But then they caught sight of a bushy tail peeping forth from the white covering.

”It's a fox, all right enough!” exclaimed Gif.

”Look out there! He may not be dead,” warned Fred. ”If he's alive and you touch him he may give you quite a bite.”

They advanced with caution, and Gif turned the animal over with the end of his gun barrel. He exposed a large fox of a silvery grey color. It was quite dead.

”A silver fox!” came from Andy.

”Jack, you've had your wish,” said Gif. ”It's a silver fox, all right enough.”

They dragged it forth from the hollow and examined the animal with much interest. The fur was somewhat reddish next to the hide, but the tips were white and silver grey.

”A beautiful piece of fur, that's certain,” said Gif. ”Your folks will be glad to get it.”

”How about Ruth Stevenson getting it,” said Randy, with a grin; and at this remark Jack blushed.

A part of the next day was spent in skinning both the fox and the wolf.

The boys wondered if they would see anything of the Secret Service agent, but he did not show himself.

”They may take their own time about working up this case,” remarked Spouter. ”They may want to get just the right kind of evidence before they close in on the rascals.”

Another day went by, and again the lads went forth to try their skill both at hunting and at fis.h.i.+ng. This time Spouter went along, and while the others were fis.h.i.+ng with more or less success the orator of Colby Hall had the honor of stirring up a brook mink of fair size and laying it low.

”You've got a nice little neck-piece there for somebody,” said Jack, as he looked at the soft fur of the mink. ”You can count yourself lucky.”

Another Sunday was pa.s.sed in camp, but still the Secret Service agent did not show himself. On the Sabbath day Jed Wallop came down to see them. They said nothing to the old hunter of what was in the wind.

”I am sorry to hear your vacation is drawin' to a close,” said Jed Wallop. ”But you ought to be purty well satisfied over what you've got.

It ain't everybody that can git a silver fox and other foxes too, and a wolf and a brook mink, not to say anything about rabbits, squirrels, partridges, and sech. I think you lads have done wonderful well.”

”I think so myself,” answered Gif.

Monday morning the young hunters took it easy, and it was not until after lunch that they thought of going out once again with their guns.

”Might as well make the best of what time is left to us,” was the way Fred expressed himself. ”Before long we'll have to be at the Colby Hall grind again.”

”Don't mention school to me,” answered Andy. ”This kind of a life suits me down to the heels.”

The boys were almost ready to leave the Lodge when they heard the jingle of sleigh bells and to their surprise saw a large sled approaching filled with the bundled-up figures of men.

”h.e.l.lo, it must be those Secret Service agents!” cried Gif. ”Now maybe there will be something doing!”

All watched the approach of the big sleigh, and were then surprised to see that the turnout contained the four Germans they had met before, and likewise Tony Duval and a sixth man, who was a stranger to them.

”Are you at home?” called out the largest of the Germans, the man named Bauermann.