The Outdoor Chums

The Outdoor Chums

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Outdoor Chums, by Captain Quincy Allen This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: The Outdoor Chums The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club
Author: Captain Quincy Allen
Release Date: November 25, 2003 [EBook #10267]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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THE OUTDOOR CHUMS
Or
The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club
BY CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN
1911

CONTENTS
I PLANNING THE CAMPAIGN
II READY FOR THE START
III THE RACE FOR A CAMP-SITE
IV UNDER THE TWIN HEMLOCKS
V THE FIRST CAMP SUPPER
VI BLUFF MEETS WITH A LOSS
VII THE SHACK OF THE MUSKRAT TRAPPER
VIII WHERE IS BLUFF?
IX JERRY TAKES CHANCES
X UNCLE TOBY FLIES HIGH
XI A NIGHT ALARM
XII THE TELL-TALE MATCH-SAFE
XIII THE COMING OF THE STORM
XIV HOW JERRY WAS TREED
XV IN A BEAR'S HOLLOW
XVI HEAPING COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD
XVII AFTER THE STORM
XVIII A STRANGE VISITOR IN CAMP
XIX SURPRISING TRAPPER JESSE
XX PROVING HIS CLAIM
XXI DOWN THE OLD SHAFT
XXII "LOOK PLEASANT, PLEASE!"
XXIII MORE SIGNS OF TROUBLE
XXIV WHAT BLUFF DID
XXV BREAKING CAMP

THE OUTDOOR CHUMS

CHAPTER I
PLANNING THE CAMPAIGN
"Great news, Jerry! The storm last night damaged the roof of the academy so that it has been condemned as unsafe. And the Head has decided that there can be no school held for two weeks."
"So Watkins was just telling me. He says most of the outside students are to be sent home again until repairs can be made. And I was just thinking that while I'm sorry for the Head, it opens up a jolly good prospect for some of us."
"How's that, Jerry? For myself, I was just feeling glad to be back at my desk again, after vacation, and now it's knock around again."
"All right, just stop and consider. There are four boys I know of, constituting the Rod, Gun and Camera Club, who have been busy planning an outing for next summer, back of the lumber camps at the head of the lake. Talk to me about opportunities, what's to hinder us going into the woods right now, and making use of our rods, guns, and that elegant new camera your mother gave you on your birthday last week?" demanded the boy called Jerry.
"What's all this about, you two conspirators?" demanded one of two other boys, swinging alongside just then, as though sure of a hearty welcome, and a voice at the council fire.
"Glad you came, Frank and Bluff, for I want your opinion. Jerry has just sprung an astonishing idea on me, and I'm so dazed I hardly know what to say. Are you ready for the question? All in favor of spending the two weeks' additional vacation out in camp back of the lumbermen's diggings say ay!"
The two newcomers looked at each other as if trying to grasp the immensity of the proposition; then they pulled off their hats, and giving a shout threw them into the air while both roared the affirmative word:
"Ay!"
Jerry looked at Will, with a broad smile of delight on his face.
"Three against one--the motion is carried!" he declared, triumphantly.
"Oh! come, I wasn't opposed to it in the start, only you stunned me by such a sudden and glorious idea. We'll meet with some opposition at home, I expect; but where there's a will there's a way; and I move we make it unanimous!" Will Milton hastened to remark.
"Bravo! consider it carried; and just to think what a chance it will be for me to try out my new outfit!" exclaimed the fourth boy, he who had been called by the queer name of "Bluff" by one of his comrades; possibly because, being the only son of a prominent lawyer, Dick Masters may have been addicted to the habit of putting up a bold face even when his heart was weak.
Jerry looked at him rather superciliously at this remark, and threw up his hands in a manner to indicate discouragement.
"I'm genuinely sorry for the feathered and furry game of the woods when the Great Hunter breaks loose with that terrible pump-gun. Mighty little chance for anything to get away after that is leveled, and the Gatling opens fire," he remarked scornfully.
"Huh! it's all very well for you to talk that way, Jerry, because you happen to be a fine shot, and can bag your game the first clip; but what's a fellow going to do when he finds it difficult to hit a barn? I'd like to wager that with all your high-falutin' talk you do more execution among the poor game than comes to my share," answered Bluff, indignantly.
"Oh! well,