Part 29 (1/2)

Under the orders of the sheriff, some of the posse started things moving. In a short time the old cabin was a ma.s.s of flames. They made sure that the fire could not extend to the surrounding forest, which was just beginning to be covered with an early crop of new leaves. Then the whole company started through the thickets, headed for the sh.o.r.e.

”Hang the luck! We forget one thing, after all!” said Bluff suddenly.

He had been so busy getting several pictures of the burning cabin that for the time being all other things had escaped him.

”What was that?” asked Frank, winking at Jerry knowingly.

”The wild man! We forgot to get him out of that hollow tree!” exclaimed Bluff.

”Well, it's too late now. For one, I object to walking back there.

Besides, we must hustle in order to make camp again against the coming of the girls,” observed Frank seriously.

”But ain't we ever going to know what the mystery of that queer creature must be? Perhaps we'd better write to that keeper we met before, Mr.

Smithson, and let him know. Then if he's shy a member of his happy family of lunatics, he'll know where to hunt for him,” Bluff went on innocently.

”A bully good idea, and you can do the writing when we get home, if you feel that way,” said Frank, with a face that was as sober as that of a judge, while Jerry had to turn his head away to keep from laughing outright.

”But about the girls, fellows! Do you know they may not come, after all.

Perhaps the folks have heard about the lively times down here on Wildcat Island, and put a veto on the outing. Then, again, you can hear the wind in the tops of these tall trees, so there must be whitecaps on the lake.

It would be risky for a lot of girls to embark on so long a trip,”

observed Jerry.

”Well, boys, we're going to turn aside here, and make for a point where the tug is to meet us. I want to thank you again. Don't forget there's a nice little hundred waiting for you when you want to claim it,” said Mr.

Dodd, after a bit.

”We've decided that you are to turn that reward over to Tom Somers here.

He was a great help to us, and we'd like his family to get the hundred, Mr. Dodd,” said Frank.

Tom started to say something, then broke down, and could only look at each of the three boys with his heart in his eyes.

”Now for the place again. It's tenting once more on the old campground for us, fellows. I hope Will has had the sense to cross over after he saw the tug come, and the posse come ash.o.r.e,” remarked Frank.

They pushed through the dense growth stubbornly, and in the course of time realized that they were drawing near the open.

”One more rush, and we can pa.s.s around that big bluff and see our place.

There's the lake, and whitecaps, too. Too bad the girls can't be with us. What a yarn we'd have to tell 'em, eh, fellows?” said Frank, laughing.

”Thunder!” exclaimed Bluff just then.

”What's happened to you, old sport?” asked Jerry.

”Look here, through this opening! Ain't that the boat with the girls, out there in that jumping sea? And side on, part of the time.

Something's happened to 'em, that's what, as sure as you're born!”

e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Bluff.

The others looked, and also uttered exclamations of dismay, while Frank called out: