Out with Gun and Camera Part 20

"Well, we'll give you something to eat---all you want---if you are quite sure you didn't take the boat," answered the doctor's son.

"I told you the truth."

"Then get into the boat again, and we'll row to our camp."

The three got in, the strange boy sitting in the stern. Shep and Snap took up the oars and soon the craft was heading for the cove where it had been tied up the night before. A shot was fired to notify Giant and Whopper that the boat had been found.

"What's your name?" asked Snap on the way.

"Tommy Cabot; but up to the show they called me Buzz."

"Are your folks with the circus?"

"My folks are dead---that is, my father and mother are. I've got a sister somewhere, older than myself, but I don't know just where she is."

"How did you happen to go with the circus?" asked Shep.

"They picked me up at Centerport. They saw that I was limber and could do a turn or two, and they made me join. They promised me good wages and a fine time, but as soon as we got on the road they treated me worse than my dog."

"Your dog?"

"Yes. I had a dog, and I said I wouldn't join unless they took the dog, too. Jones wanted me to give him, the dog---he was a fine collie---but I wouldn't do it, and when I left I took my dog with me."

"Where is he now?"

"I don't know. He ran away several days ago, and I haven't seen him since."

"And he was a collie?" asked Snap.

"Yes." Tommy Cabot's eyes brightened expectantly. "You haven't seen him, have you? He must be somewhere around these lakes."

"We found a dog---a collie. He's got a tag on his collar---number 444."

"My dog!" cried the circus boy. "Oh, I'll be glad to see him! He's my best friend, even if he did run away. Anyway, I guess he went to get something to eat. I hadn't much for him."

"What do you call your dog?" asked the doctor's son.

"Wags---because he moves his tail so much."

"Well, I never! That's what we dubbed him."

"Tell me," broke in Snap. "Do you know what happened at the circus after you left?"

"I heard that some of the animals got away. I didn't hear the particulars. I went down among the farms and laid low, waiting for the circus to go east."

"A lion got away, and also Abe, the educated chimpanzee. The circus folks think those men who were discharged and you were responsible."

"Me! I didn't do it, and I never had anything to do with those men who were discharged. They were a hard crowd."

A little later the camp was gained. As soon as the dog saw Tommy Cabot he became frantic with joy and leaped up and licked the hand of his youthful master. Tommy fairly hugged Wags to his breast.

Of course, Whopper and Giant were surprised to see the circus boy and glad to know the boat had been found. How the craft had gotten loose was a mystery n.o.body was able to solve.

A substantial breakfast was prepared for the circus boy, and while he was eating he told his story in detail---how his parents had died years before, and how his sister Grace had been taken by some friends in the Middle West.

"I sold papers and blacked boots for a living, and I learned to do handsprings and the like," said Tommy. "Then the circus came along and I went with it, taking Wags. Some of the circus men were kind to me, but most of them were rough, and Jones and Ca.s.so were cruel.

When I ran away I made up my mind I'd never go back, but would try to get work in some city and also try to find my sister Grace. But I ran short of money and then I came out here, thinking I could get work on some farm, or go with some sportsmen to carry their traps for 'em. But I didn't find any farms out here, and the only sportsmen I met were some well-dressed young fellows who jeered me and called me a scarecrow---I suppose on account of my shabby clothes." The circus boy still wore the big suit of rags the young hunters had noticed before.

"Must have been Ham Spink and his crowd," murmured Whopper. "It would be just like them to do that."

In spite of the color in his cheeks the young hunters could see that the circus lad was far from strong. He was nervous, and evidently needed plenty of food and a rest.

Having heard the runaway's tale, Snap and the others told something about themselves. Tommy listened with keen interest, and presently his eyes showed considerable enthusiasm.

"I wish I was going with you," he said. "Such an outing would suit me down to the ground. I can cook some, and I could wash the dishes and cut wood and keep the camp in order, and all that.

But I don't suppose you'd want me along in these old duds."

And he looked sadly at his torn and faded suit, so much too big for him.

"Oh, we might fit you out with a sweater and a cap," said Snap. The more he saw of the circus boy the better he liked the young fellow.

"But I don't know," he added hastily, looking at his chums.

"We didn't expect to take anybody," said the doctor's son slowly.

"But you might stay with us for a day or two, anyway---and we can talk it over. We ought to be better acquainted before we make a bargain."

"He could help us take our outfit to the mountains," said Giant. "We could pay him for the work."

"I don't want any pay. Just give me my meals, and it will be all right."

"We can settle the whole thing later," said Shep. "But you can stay for the present."

"Wasn't it queer?" cried Whopper. "We found your dog and you found our boat!"

"It was queer---but I'm glad of it, for it kind of squares up,"

answered the circus boy. "I don't know how much you think of your boat, but I think a whole lot of Wags."

"If we hadn't got the boat back our outing would have been spoiled,"

said the doctor's son. "But come; if we are going fishing, let us start at once. We can do the rest of our talking after our lines are in."

CHAPTER XIII

SOME FINE FISHING

The four boy hunters were soon down at the lake sh.o.r.e preparing their hooks and lines. Tommy Cabot went along, and while they fished he sat and watched them.