Four Boy Hunters | Page 5

you had the safe locked," went on Mr. Dodge.
"I did have it locked. He must have opened it and then shut it up again
before he went at the desk."
The announcement by the master of the mill created something of a
sensation, and soon all the men and boys in the vicinity gathered to
learn the particulars of the robbery. It was learned that the man who
had perpetrated the deed was a tall, slim individual who limped with
his left foot when he ran. He had disappeared into the forest bordering
the river, and that was the last seen of him. He had red hair and a
stubby red moustache.
That very evening a reward of one hundred dollars was offered by the
mill company for the capture of the thief, and men and boys for miles
around went on the hunt, but without success. Mr. Dodge and the other
men of the concern were very much worried, but could do nothing
further. The county authorities appeared to be helpless, although the
sheriff and two deputies spent two days in trying to get some trace of
the criminal. It was as if the earth had opened and swallowed him up.
The loss of the money was bad enough, but it was learned by Snap that
this was not the worst of the affair by any means. For a long time the
mill company had had a dispute with another lumber concern over the
right to cut timber in a locality known as the Spur Road. The Barnaby
Company had certain papers for this right---getting them after much
trouble. Now these papers were gone, and the dispute about the Spur
Road tract might be again opened.
"I wish I had those papers back," said Mr. Dodge. "If I had them I
shouldn't mind the loss of the money so much, although three hundred
and fifty dollars is not an amount to be sneezed at."
"Can the thief sell the papers to the Felps Lumber Company, father?"
asked Snap.
"He might do that---if they were mean enough to buy them. But I rather
think the Felps folks would be above that---although they are very, very

bitter against us. They can't get any more timber to cut around here, and
they don't want to move their plant. The Spur Road tract will keep our
mill busy for at least three years."
The excitement of the mill fire and the search after the thief kept the
four boys from speaking of the proposed outing for several days. But as
soon as the school closed they met at Snap's house to complete their
arrangements.
It had been no easy matter for the four to obtain permission to leave
home on such an extended trip. Mr. Dodge and Dr. Reed were willing
enough, for they had gone out in a similar fashion when boys, and
thought it would do their sons good, but with Frank's folks it was
different, and Giant's mother shook her head decidedly, and only gave
in after a long consultation with the doctor, who had become her
physician.
"They will be safe enough, do not fear," said Dr. Reed. "Boys have to
become self-reliant, Mrs. Caslette, and the time to start is when they are
young." After that the widow said no more, and so it was settled, so far
as Giant was concerned. Then the three boys talked the matter over
with Whopper's folks, and at last they gave in also, and then the boys
danced a regular war-dance in Whopper's back yard, which made even
Mrs. Dawson laugh.
"Well, boys will be boys," she said. "But I do hope they don't run into a
bear or shoot themselves."
"They are all good shots and know how to handle their guns," answered
Mr. Dawson. "They ought to be able to get along. Mr. Dodge told me
privately he was going to have old Jed Sanborn keep an eye on them,
and Sanborn is one of the most reliable hunters and guides in this
district."
As soon as it was settled, the boys began to get their stores ready. It
was decided to go down the river as far as Lake Cameron in a rowboat
belonging to the Dodges, and from there "tote" their outfit to wherever
they decided to camp. If one spot did not suit after stopping there they

would move on to some other point.
The outfit was no light one, when it was all gotten together. For
clothing, each youth had an extra set of underwear and some socks.
Each carried a pair of shoes and wore boots, and also had a coat that
would do for both rain and warmth.
Their stores consisted principally of flour, beans, bacon, coffee, sugar,
salt, pepper, condensed milk, and a