CHAPTER XXV
BLUFF REMEMBERS--CONCLUSION
"Wait, oh, wait up a minute, till I get my camera, and take a pictureof you coming home like that!" called Will, as he darted back into thecabin.
He was out in a jiffy, and succeeded in getting them, to his completesatisfaction. As Will seemed a master hand at developing and printingall his pictures, it could be taken for granted that his work would dojustice to the coming back to camp of the expedition in search of thegiant moose of the Big Woods.
"Where did you run across Bill Nackerson, boys?" asked Frank, almostthe first thing. "And what makes him limp and groan that way? Has hebeen shot?"
Of course it was up to Bluff and Jerry to explain.
"Before we try to give you the whole yarn, Frank," said the former, "Iwant you to take a look at his feet. He got both of them badly frozenwhile sitting up in a tree most of last night with a pack of wolvesjumping at him."
"What's that--wolves?" demanded Will, getting interested.
"Like this one that tried to break in through the back of our boughshelter, and that I nailed with a single shot." And, saying this,Jerry spread out the skin before their admiring eyes.
"Well, I should say you fellows _have_ been busy," Frankremarked, smiling with pleasure; "but keep the story until I can bewith you, please."
With that he went over to where Bill Nackerson had dropped to theground, and offered to assist the man into the cabin.
"One of my chums tells me you've been unlucky with your feet, and gotthem frosted a bit," Frank said, in his pleasant way.
"Yes, that's so, and I reckon I'm in a bad way," Bill replied, withlines across his forehead. "They were mighty kind to me, and I'm sureashamed of the way I've carried on while up here. It's a lesson to me,I tell you."
"Well, let me help you inside," said Frank. "I'm something of anamateur doctor, and as I was born and raised here in Maine I knowsomething about frostbites and what to do for them. It may be I canhelp you temporarily; though if it's a bad case we must see Mr.Darrel, and have him get you down to a hospital."
Frank saw the man cringe at mention of the lumberman's name, and heknew the reason why.
Some time later Frank came out to where all the others were waiting,the dinner having been postponed. It could keep, but that wonderfulstory must be partly heard, at least.
"How about Bill?" asked Bluff. "Feet in pretty bad shape--eh, Frank?"
"That's what they are, and I'm a little afraid he's going to have lotsof trouble with them yet," the other responded. "I'll take a run overto the lumber camp this afternoon. I want to see Mr. Darrel aboutseveral things, and will try to make arrangements to get Bill to town,some way or other. He ought to go to a hospital."
"Will was just telling us that Teddy had owned up to you about hearingNackerson threaten to set fire to Lumber Run Camp," remarked Jerry.
"Yes," Frank admitted, with a smile in the direction of the confusedTeddy. "He had been bothered to know just what his duty was. You see,although Nackerson has treated him badly, still he is a relative, andblood is always thicker than water. Finally Teddy couldn't keep in anylonger, and he told us all about it. That was the main reason he ranaway; he was getting afraid of Nackerson while the man drank soheavily."
"And now, please tell us a little of all that happened to you fellows,before we go in to dinner," pleaded Will.
"Make it as short as you can, Bluff," said Jerry; "because, you see,none of us have had a bite since last night, and Bill's gone evenlonger than that. I'm nearly as ravenous as those wolves were. Hitonly the high places, Bluff."
Bluff made short work of it, for he, too, was hungrier than he hadbeen for many a day. After a rapid sketch of their numerous adventureshad been given, Bluff declared he would say no more just then.
"The rest will keep until some time when we're sitting around the fireand want something to help keep us awake," he told them.
"Now let's adjourn to the refreshment hall, where Teddy here has got afine dinner all hot and ready waiting," suggested Jerry.
Luckily there had been a double portion made ready, because Frankexpected that when the two boys got in they would be almost famished.
"If you hadn't shown up in another hour or so, Will and I intended tostart out and try to find some trace of you," he told the returnedhunters.
"Yes," added Will, "and I told Frank I wanted to be sure to carry mycamera along, because the chances were we'd find that the old bullmoose had treed you both, and it would make a cracking good picture!"
Later on Frank started for Lumber Run Camp. He took Will along, forthe latter had been so wrapped up in taking pictures that he had nothad much exercise of late.
They had no difficulty in reaching the lumber camp, and found Mr.Darrel there. He was deeply interested in all they had to tell him.
"Well, I'm glad to learn who it was tried to burn us out here," hesaid. "And while he may not want to take the reward I'll see thatTeddy has it before spring. He's a big husky boy, and I think if he'dlike to stay up here with me, I could make a pretty fair lumberjackout of him."
"How about Bill Nackerson, sir?" asked Frank. "He is in a bad way, andought to be taken to a hospital at once or he may lose one or bothfeet. I've done all I could, but he needs special care and treatment."
The lumberman frowned, and then his face cleared.
"After all, it isn't best to hold resentment long," he told Frank, whowas more than pleased to hear him speak in that way. "That man is arascal, I surely believe; but he's down and out just now, and I can'tbear malice to a wretch whose feet are in such a bad way. Yes, I'llsee that he's taken to town in a wagon that's going to start early inthe morning. It'll be past your place an hour after sun-up. Have himready to go. And I'll forget all about his evil work. But he owes aheap to the outdoor chums."
Frank and Will got back just as the shadows of night were gathering.When Bill Nackerson heard how forgiving the lumberman had proven,especially since he understood how the truth about the fire at LumberRun Camp was known to Mr. Darrel, he shed tears. Frank hoped they weregenuine, and not of the crocodile kind.
In the morning they saw the last of Bill Nackerson. The man askedTeddy to forgive his harshness, which the boy eagerly consented to do.Later on they learned that after great efforts Bill's feet were saved,though he would very likely suffer with them every winter for years tocome.
That afternoon two men came over to the cabin in which the boys werecamped. They turned out to be Whalen and the other companion ofNackerson. It seemed that they had reached their cabin after a hardbattle with the storm; and as Bill failed to show up, they weregetting so worried they had come to ask the boys' assistance inlocating him.
When they heard what had happened, they were apparently relieved inmind, though professing to have had quite enough of their Maineouting. They parted from the boys, declaring it to be their intentionto leave for civilization the first thing in the morning. This theyprobably did, for the chums saw nothing of them again.
The days came and went, until the time arrived for Frank and hisfriends to once more turn westward and head for Centerville, withschool duties awaiting them.
They were all sitting at the breakfast table with their belongingspacked waiting for the wagon to come which their good friend Mr.Darrel had insisted on sending over to carry them out of the woods,when Bluff started to say something.
Without paying any particular attention to what he was saying, hecommenced:
"I sure reckon this outing is going to take the cake. It beatsanything the outdoor chums have ever run up against before. Wait tillI get a chance to tell it to that friend of mine, who was boasting somuch what he had done the time he went into the woods with a fellownamed Clarence Masterson."
"I'm glad you have had a good time," laughed Frank. "You and Jerry gotyour big moose horns; and now if only Will carries off the cash prizeoffered by the railroad companies for the best wild-animal lifepictures taken by an amateur in the Maine wilderness, we'll think ourtr
ip has been successful all around."
It seemed as though success had set in their direction with avengeance, for later on Will received notification that the pictureshe had submitted in competition for the big prize had been unanimouslyselected. And really they were a fine lot; possibly ere this some ofyou have admired them as displayed in the recent folders of theenterprising railroads of the State of Maine.
Teddy said good-by to his new friends, and went back on the wagon,meaning to learn the ways of a lumberjack. He had good muscles, andpromised to accomplish something in that line. The outdoor chums knewthat in Mr. Darrel the boy would always find a sincere friend.
Once again at home, they could exhibit the trophies of their visit tothe Big Woods with more or less pride and the wonderful pictures shownby Will to back up the story of their trials and triumphs addedamazingly to the reality. We hope it may be our pleasing task later onto recount still further adventures that befell Frank Langdon and histhree chums. Until that time, we must say good-by.
THE END
THE GO AHEAD SERIES
By ROSS KAY
On Smuggler's Island The Treasure Cave Mysterious Old House In the Island Camp And the Racing Motor And Simon's Mine
These stories will appeal to any boy who is imbued with "The Go Ahead"spirit. Whether on Smuggler's Island, at Simon's Mine or in TheTreasure Cave, the boys have adventures that are as thrilling as theyare unusual. The scene of each volume is laid in some beautiful andhistoric part of our country. This adds to the interest and value ofthe stories and makes them doubly attractive.
The Goldsmith Publishing Co.
NEW YORK, N. Y.
THE MUSKET BOYS SERIES
By GEORGE A WARREN
The Musket Boys of Old Boston The Musket Boys Under Washington The Musket Boys on the Delaware
Stirring times were these--and stirring deeds made boys into menbefore their time.
Against the picturesque background of the revolutionary war, George A.Warren tells a tale of heroism and patriotism of the boys of long agowho heard the call of their country and rallied to the colors.
What trials of valor and responsibilities beyond their years comes to"The Musket Boys" is told in an enthralling manner.
The Goldsmith Publishing Co.
NEW YORK, N. Y.
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