Messenger No. 48 Part 40

"It's lucky I had to cook dinner to-day, or I shouldn't have had a match." he said, grimly, as he sat about gathering more fuel.

In a short time he had a cheerful blaze, and the warmth, which was so grateful, served to revive his courage.

Slowly the hours pa.s.sed.

Now and then he fell into a light slumber, but only for a few moments at a time, and it seemed as if forty hours must have elapsed before the sun lightened the sky again.

Toasting some of the crackers on the coals, and refreshing himself with water from a tiny stream, he made ready to continue his search.

Now he took his bearings carefully, with the sun as a guide, and, knowing the lake must lie to the west, pushed straight across the wilderness.

One, two, three hours, and then his heart was made glad by a glimpse of the water.

Never had anything looked as beautiful as did the lake at that moment.

He ran to the bank, and looked out through the bushes.

He was nearly opposite the islands, at the exact spot where the trail was lost on the previous afternoon.

To reach the camp it would be necessary to travel the greater portion of the day, and the important question was as to whether Jim would remain quietly there until he returned.

"There's no use thinking about it; I've got to take the chances," he said, resolutely to himself, and the weary march was resumed.

More than once before the journey came to an end was he tempted to give himself up to the rest he so sadly needed; but the thought that he might be forced to spend another night in the woods alone without a shelter, prevented him from giving way.

The last of the provisions were eaten for dinner.

A halt of half an hour was indulged in, and then he trudged forward once more, traveling a trifle more easily since one of his hands was now free.

It was late in the afternoon when he finally arrived within sight of the encampment; but there were no signs of Jim.

Before reaching the shanty he shouted loudly, receiving no reply, save the mocking echoes.

Now he ran the short distance remaining, and looked around eagerly.

Everything was apparently as he had left them. The notice was still fastened to the trunk of the tree.

The store of provisions was untouched, and he went to the water's edge.

The boat had not been launched, and this in itself was sufficient to show the small guide had not returned.

It was time he arrived, even supposing he remained over night at his home, as had been intimated, and the only reason for delay which he could imagine was that the young gentleman's parents refused to let him continue the hunting trip.

If that had been the case it seemed strange he did not come back to let Jet know he could no longer act as guide and a.s.sistant detective.

Thoroughly disheartened Jet threw himself on the ground near the front of the shanty, trying to decide what he could do; when the sound as of some person forcing his way through the underbrush caused a look of joy to come over his face.

An instant later it was replaced by one of disappointment.

Instead of seeing Jim as he had hoped, a very disreputable-looking stranger came from the direction of the upper carry, approaching Jet with a careless "Howdy?"

"Good afternoon," Jet responded.

"Out here on a fishin' trip, eh?"

"Yes, something of that sort."

"Been 'round long?"

"A few days."

"I reckon you don't want to hire a good guide, who can beat any one in this section cooking, eh?"

"No, and I haven't got the money if I did want to."

"I'd go mighty cheap seein's how business is dull."

Jet shook his head.

"Well, there's no harm done. I don't reckon you'd kick agin givin' a feller a bite, eh?"

"Help yourself; the provisions are under the boat."

The stranger proceeded to overhaul the outfit in the most matter-of-fact way possible, even grumbling because certain articles he evidently expected were not to be found.

"How would it do, if I got up a dinner for both of us?" he finally asked.

"All right, go ahead."

It made very little difference to Jet what the fellow did so long as he left him free to think the matter over, and he paid no attention to his movements.

After an hour had pa.s.sed the stranger invited Jet to "fill up" from his own stock of provisions, and as he accepted the invitation the boy discovered that whatever this man might think of his abilities, he was certainly a very poor cook.

"I'd a-done better if you'd had more stuff," he said, half-apologetically, and then he began an attack on the food which speedily emptied the dishes.

The visitor made no move toward clearing away the cooking utensils; but leaving them where they were last used, proceeded to fill his pipe.

Then he stretched himself out inside the shanty, and took, as he said, "solid enjoyment."

"I allow there's no reason why I can't stay here till morning, eh?"

Much as Jet disliked the proposed companionship, he could not well refuse the request, therefore he gave consent with rather an ill-will.

"Seen anybody else huntin' 'round here?" the fellow asked, after a pause.

"There were two men camping down there a bit, but they left yesterday."

"When did they come?"