Chapter XXV: The Shot

For a moment, after getting outside the cabin, Tom hardly knew what to do. He was at a loss in which direction to start, but he realized the necessity of getting away from that vicinity as soon as possible.

Though his escape did not seem to have aroused his captors, there was no telling when they would take the alarm and start after him. Tom looked for the bear. The animal was not in sight, though he could see by marks in the snow, where it had approached the cabin from the woods, and where it had run off into the forest again.

“Too bad I haven’t my gun!” mused Tom. “But I don’t dare try to get it.”

Then began for Tom a time he never forgot. He set off toward the woods, wishing to gain their friendly shelter as soon as he could, but once there he was at a loss how farther to proceed.

“But there’s no need to wait for morning,” he reasoned. “I can see almost as well now, as long as the moon is up. I’ll try to find some sort of a trail.”

He staggered on, yes, staggered, for he was weak from his experience, and he had not had proper food in some time. It seemed almost a week, but of course it was not as long as that.

Scarcely able to walk, but grimly determined not to give up, Tom urged himself on. Whither he was going, he knew not, but any way to leave that hateful shack, and the more hateful men behind, was good enough for the time being.

All night long Tom kept on going. He fancied he was on some sort of trail or road, but he could not be sure. Certainly the trees seemed cut down in a line, though it was a twisting and turning one.

Then the moon went down, leaving the scene pretty dark, but the white snow made objects plain. Tom kept on until at last he was fairly staggering from side to side. He was very weak.

“I--I’ve got to give up,” he panted. “I--I’ve got to--to rest.”

He looked about and saw sort of a nook under some bushes. On top was a matting of snow, like a roof. Tom crawled into this like some hunted animal, and sank down wearily. He pulled his mackinaw about him, thankful that he had it with him. He must have frozen without its protection.

Again Tom was unaware of the passage of time. He must have dozed or fainted, perhaps, but when he opened his eyes the sun was shining. The day was a brilliant one, and warm, for that time of year. Tom took heart. He crawled out, and once more started on his wearying tramp. He was very weak and exhausted, and there was a “gone” feeling to his stomach.

“Or the place where it used to be,” Tom said, with grim humor. “I don’t believe I have a stomach left.”

But he forced himself onward. It seemed that he had been staggering over the snow for a week. Time had lost its meaning for him.

“Oh, if I only had something to eat! If I only could find the camp!” murmured poor Tom.

He reached a stump, and sat down on it to rest. He closed his eyes but suddenly opened them again.

Was that fancy, or had he heard a shot? He leaped up, electrified, and then hesitated. Perhaps it was Skeel and the others after him. But a quick look across the snow showed him no one was in sight. Tom reasoned quickly.

“Skeel and his crowd wouldn’t shoot unless they saw me, and then it would be to scare me. It can’t have been those men who fired. It must be the boys. But where are they?” Tom looked eagerly about.

Again came the shot. There was no mistake this time. Then Tom heard a shout. He tried to answer it, but his voice was too weak. Another shot cracked on the frosty air, and then came a series of confused calls.

“There he is!”

“We’ve found him!”

“Hurry up!”

A mist dimmed Tom’s vision. He cleared his eyes with a quick motion of his hand, and then he saw his three chums and Sam Wilson rushing toward him. They came out of the woods, and, a moment later, had surrounded him.

“Where were you?”

“What happened?”

“Where’s your gun?”

“You look all in!”

Fast came the questions.

“I--I am all in,” Tom faltered. “It’s that rascal Skeel. I--I----”

He could not go on for a moment. Then he pulled himself together.

“Here! Drink this!” exclaimed Jack, producing a small vacuum bottle. “It’s coffee and it’s hot yet.” He poured some out into a tin cup and Tom drank it. It revived him at once. Then, with a little more of the beverage, and a hasty swallowing of a sandwich which formed part of the emergency lunch the boys had brought with them, Tom was able to tell his story.

Hot indignation was expressed by all, and then Jack related how they had found the road, but lost Tom, and how they had met with Sam. Their trip to Camp No. 2 had been fruitless, as we know, nor were they any more successful when they came to Camp No. 3. Tom was not there. Then they started for Camp No. 1, and were on their way thither when they came upon the object of their search. On the way they shouted and fired signal guns at intervals. The dog had found his way to Camp No. 1, after leaving Tom, but the animal could not lead Tom’s friends to him.

“And now to make it hot for those scoundrels!” exclaimed Sam. “We’ll prosecute them not only for kidnapping and robbing you, for that’s what they did when they took your gun and money, but we’ll bring an action in trespass against them. That shack where they kept you belongs to the hunting club.”

“And to think Tom was there all the while and we never knew it,” said Bert.

“Oh, I intended to have a look there, if we hadn’t found him at Cabin No. 1,” declared Sam. “But now let’s get busy! Can you walk, Tom, or will you wait here until I can go get a horse?”

“Oh, I’ll be all right soon. I was just weak from hunger.”

Soon Tom was able to proceed. They were about half way between Camp No. 1 and the shack where our hero had been kept a prisoner, and it was decided to go to the latter place and make an endeavor to capture Skeel and his cronies.

But our friends were too late. The kidnappers had fled, but Tom’s gun and all his possessions, save his money, were found in the cabin. Doubtless the personal belongings were too conclusive evidence against the plotters, to risk taking, but someone had succumbed to the temptation of the cash.

“Well, I’m glad to get this back,” Tom said, taking up his gun.

“Yes, and we’ll get those rascals yet!” declared Sam. “I’ll rouse the whole country after them!”

They went on to Camp No. 1 and there Tom had a good rest. It did not take long to pull himself together, and he was as eager as the others to start out on the trail of the scoundrels. For the time being hunting and the taking of photographs was forgotten. Sam sent word to the authorities, and a sheriff’s posse was organized. It was done so quickly that Skeel and the others, who had taken the alarm and fled when they discovered Tom’s escape, were apprehended before they could leave the neighborhood. The heavy storms had blocked the railroad and there were no trains. The men could not hire a sled and team and so were forced to walk, which put them at a disadvantage. They left a trail easy for the woodsmen, hunters and trappers to follow.

“Well, you got us, and you got us good!” said Murker, when they were arrested and confronted by Tom and the others. “I was afraid something like this would happen.”

“Why didn’t you say so, then, and keep me out of it?” asked Whalen, sullenly.

Professor Skeel said nothing, but he scowled at Tom. The plotter’s plans had fallen through, and he faced a long prison term, which, in due course he received, as did his confederates. The letter Skeel had tried to force Tom to write was found on the man and made conclusive evidence against him and the others. So the scoundrel-professor was cheated of his revenge and the money he hoped to get from Mr. Fairfield.

It became known that Professor Skeel had various experiences after Tom had last seen him. The man was in desperate circumstances when he formed a plan of kidnapping Tom, and holding him for ransom. It was a foolish and risky plan, but Skeel talked it over with his two cronies and decided to try it. They knew Mr. Fairfield was rich.

Then came Skeel’s trip to Elmwood Hall. The snowball was an accident he had not counted on, and it made him more angry than ever against Tom.

Professor Skeel’s injured ear, which looked, as Sam said, “like it had been chawed by some critter,” was the result of a fight he had with a man before this story opened, and with which we have nothing to do. Sufficient to say that it served to identify the man, and put our friends on their guard, so that justice was finally meted out.

The trial and conviction of the men came later. After the trio were safely locked in jail, Tom and his chums returned to the woods where they had been lost. But they were better acquainted with the forest now.

“And we’ll have some fine hunting!” cried Tom, now himself again.

“And get some photographs!” added Bert. “I want a view of that hut where the bear pulled the board off so you could get out.”

“That was queer,” said Tom, smiling. “I don’t believe I’ll like to shoot a bear now, after that one did me such a good turn.”

“You won’t have much chance,” Sam said. “I guess even the oldest and toughest bear is ‘holed-up’ by now. Better be content with deer!”

And the boys had to be, rather against their wills. But they were made happy when each one got a specimen, though none was as fine as was Tom’s antlered head. Moreover, Bert and the others secured all the photographs they wanted.

But deer was not the only game they shot.

Rabbits, partridges and squirrels were plentiful, and the boys had more than enough for their meals. They enjoyed to the utmost the holiday time spent in the hunting camps, and Tom paid his first visit to Camp No. 3.

“Well, take it all in all, how did you enjoy it, fellows?” asked Tom, when, after a last successful hunt they were preparing to go back to home and Elmwood Hall.

“Couldn’t have been better!” was the enthusiastic answer from all.

“But it was rather tough on you, Tom,” said Jack.

“Oh, I didn’t mind it so much, except the ‘hunger-strike’ I had to go on, after I escaped,” was the reply. “And I had the satisfaction of besting Skeel.”

“He’ll hate you worse than ever,” commented Bert.

“He’ll be a long while getting out,” Tom said. “That’s one consolation. Well, here comes Sam with the pung. I suppose we’ve got to go back!”

And with sighs of regret at what they were leaving, real regret in spite of the hardships, the boys prepared to return to civilization, at which point we will take leave of them.

THE END

THE BOYS’ OUTING LIBRARY

_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color._

_Price, per volume, 65 cents, postpaid._

=THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES=

BY CAPT. JAMES CARSON

The Saddle Boys of the Rockies
The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon
The Saddle Boys on the Plains
The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch
The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails

=THE DAVE DASHAWAY SERIES=

BY ROY ROCKWOOD

Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator
Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane
Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship
Dave Dashaway Around the World
Dave Dashaway: Air Champion

=THE SPEEDWELL BOYS SERIES=

BY ROY ROCKWOOD

The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles
The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto
The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch
The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine
The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer

=THE TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES=

BY ALLEN CHAPMAN

Tom Fairfield’s School Days
Tom Fairfield at Sea
Tom Fairfield in Camp
Tom Fairfield’s Pluck and Luck
Tom Fairfield’s Hunting Trip

=THE FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES=

BY ALLEN CHAPMAN

Fred Fenton the Pitcher
Fred Fenton in the Line
Fred Fenton on the Crew
Fred Fenton on the Track
Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner

_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._

CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York

THE WEBSTER SERIES

By FRANK V. WEBSTER

Mr. Webster’s style is very much like that of the boys’ favorite author, the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly up-to-date.

=Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various colors.=

=Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.=

Only A Farm Boy
_or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life_

The Boy From The Ranch
_or Roy Bradner’s City Experiences_

The Young Treasure Hunter
_or Fred Stanley’s Trip to Alaska_

The Boy Pilot of the Lakes
_or Nat Morton’s Perils_

Tom The Telephone Boy
_or The Mystery of a Message_

Bob The Castaway
_or The Wreck of the Eagle_

The Newsboy Partners
_or Who Was Dick Box?_

Two Boy Gold Miners
_or Lost in the Mountains_

The Young Firemen of Lakeville
_or Herbert Dare’s Pluck_

The Boys of Bellwood School
_or Frank Jordan’s Triumph_

Jack the Runaway
_or On the Road with a Circus_

Bob Chester’s Grit
_or From Ranch to Riches_

Airship Andy
_or The Luck of a Brave Boy_

High School Rivals
_or Fred Markham’s Struggles_

Darry The Life Saver
_or The Heroes of the Coast_

Dick The Bank Boy
_or A Missing Fortune_

Ben Hardy’s Flying Machine
_or Making a Record for Himself_

Harry Watson’s High School Days
_or The Rivals of Rivertown_

Comrades of the Saddle
_or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains_

Tom Taylor at West Point
_or The Old Army Officer’s Secret_

The Boy Scouts of Lennox
_or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_

The Boys of the Wireless
_or A Stirring Rescue from the Deep_

Cowboy Dave
_or The Round-up at Rolling River_

Jack of the Pony Express
_or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail_

The Boys of the Battleship
_or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_

CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK

THE BOMBA BOOKS

BY ROY ROCKWOOD

_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. With colored jacket_

_=Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid=_

_Bomba lived far back in the jungles of the Amazon with a half-demented naturalist who told the lad nothing of his past. The jungle boy was a lover of birds, and hunted animals with a bow and arrow and his trusty machete. He had a primitive education in some things, and his daring adventures will be followed with breathless interest by thousands._

1. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY
_or The Old Naturalist’s Secret_

In this volume the reader is taken into the depth of the jungle where he meets Bomba in a life replete with thrilling situations. Once the jungle boy saves the lives of two American rubber hunters who ask him who he is. That sets Bomba to thinking. Who is he and how had he come to the jungle? He knew that he was not of the natives, for he loved the birds and the wild animals better. The old naturalist gives him a hint of his father and his mother, and Bomba sets off to solve the mystery of his identity.

2. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE MOVING MOUNTAIN
_or The Mystery of the Caves of Fire_

Bomba travels many miles through the jungle, with many encounters with wild beasts and hostile natives. At last he reaches the Andes and presently trails the old man of the burning mountain to his caves of fire and learns more concerning himself. Weird adventures underground.

3. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE GIANT CATARACT
_or Chief Nascanora and His Captives_

From the Moving Mountain Bomba travels to the Giant Cataract, still searching out his parentage. Among the Pilati Indians he finds some white captives. He finds, too, an aged woman who had at one time been a great operatic singer, and she is the first to give Bomba real news of his forebears.

_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_

CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York

THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES

BY WILLARD F. BAKER

_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_

_=Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid=_

_Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as a setting, related in such a style as to captivate the hearts of all boys._

1. THE BOY RANCHERS
_or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X_

Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They become involved in an exciting mystery.

2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP
_or The Water Fight at Diamond X_

Returning for a visit, the two eastern lads learn, with delight, that they are to become boy ranchers.

3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL
_or The Diamond X After Cattle Rustlers_

Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws.

4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS
_or Trailing the Yaquis_

Rosemary and Floyd are captured by the Yaqui Indians but the boy ranchers trailed them into the mountains and effected the rescue.

5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK
_or Fighting the Sheep Herders_

Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out heroic adventures.

6. THE BOY RANCHERS IN THE DESERT
_or Diamond X and the Lost Mine_

One night a strange old miner almost dead from hunger and hardship arrived at the bunk house. The boys cared for him and he told them of the lost desert mine.

7. THE BOY RANCHERS ON ROARING RIVER
_or Diamond X and the Chinese Smugglers_

The boy ranchers help capture Delton’s gang who were engaged in smuggling Chinese across the border.

_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_

CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York

THE BASEBALL JOE SERIES

BY LESTER CHADWICK

_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid_

1. BASEBALL JOE OF THE SILVER STARS
_or The Rivals of Riverside_

Joe is an everyday country boy who loves to play baseball and particularly to pitch.

2. BASEBALL JOE ON THE SCHOOL NINE
_or Pitching for the Blue Banner_

Joe’s great ambition was to go to boarding school and play on the school team.

3. BASEBALL JOE AT YALE
_or Pitching for the College Championship_

In his second year at Yale Joe becomes a varsity pitcher.

4. BASEBALL JOE IN THE CENTRAL LEAGUE
_or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher_

From Yale College to a baseball league of our Central States.

5. BASEBALL JOE IN THE BIG LEAGUE
_or A Young Pitcher’s Hardest Struggles_

From the Central League Joe goes to the St. Louis Nationals.

6. BASEBALL JOE ON THE GIANTS
_or Making Good as a Twirler in the Metropolis_

Joe was traded to the Giants and became their mainstay.

7. BASEBALL JOE IN THE WORLD SERIES
_or Pitching for the Championship_

What Joe did to win the series will thrill the most jaded reader.

8. BASEBALL JOE AROUND THE WORLD
_or Pitching on a Grand Tour_

The Giants and the All-Americans tour the world.

9. BASEBALL JOE: HOME RUN KING
_or The Greatest Pitcher and Batter on Record_

Joe becomes the greatest batter in the game.

10. BASEBALL JOE SAVING THE LEAGUE
_or Breaking Up a Great Conspiracy_

Throwing the game meant a fortune but also dishonor.

11. BASEBALL JOE CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM
_or Bitter Struggles on the Diamond_

Joe is elevated to the position of captain.

12. BASEBALL JOE CHAMPION OF THE LEAGUE
_or The Record that was Worth While_

A plot is hatched to put Joe’s pitching arm out of commission.

13. BASEBALL JOE CLUB OWNER
_or Putting the Home Town on the Map_

Joe developes muscle weakness and is ordered off the field for a year.

_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_

CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York

THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES

BY LESTER CHADWICK

_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_

_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_

_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._

1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS
_A Story of College Baseball_

Tom Parsons, a “hayseed,” makes good on the scrub team of Randall College.

2. A QUARTERBACK’S PLUCK
_A Story of College Football_

A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick’s best style, that is bound to grip the reader from the start.

3. BATTING TO WIN
_A Story of College Baseball_

Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on Randall College team. There is a great game.

4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN
_A Story of College Football_

After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes a touchdown that won a big game.

5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL
_A Story of College Athletics_

The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely exciting.

6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS
_A Story of College Water Sports_

Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track, gridiron and diamond.

_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_

CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York

_The Boy Hunters Series_

_By Captain Ralph Bonehill_

12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid

FOUR BOY HUNTERS
_Or, The Outing of the Gun Club_

A fine, breezy story of the woods and waters, of adventures in search of game, and of great times around the campfire, told in Captain Bonehill’s best style. In the book are given full directions for camping out.

GUNS AND SNOWSHOES
_Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters_

In this volume the young hunters leave home for a winter outing on the shores of a small lake. They hunt and trap to their heart’s content, and have adventures in plenty, all calculated to make boys “sit up and take notice.” A good healthy book; one with the odor of the pine forests and the glare of the welcome campfire in every chapter.

YOUNG HUNTERS OF THE LAKE
_Or, Out with Rod and Gun_

Another tale of woods and waters, with some strong hunting scenes and a good deal of mystery. The three volumes make a splendid outdoor series.

OUT WITH GUN AND CAMERA
_Or, The Boy Hunters in the Mountains_

Takes up the new fad of photographing wild animals as well as shooting them. An escaped circus chimpanzee and an escaped lion add to the interest of the narrative.

CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK

THE GREAT MARVEL SERIES

BY ROY ROCKWOOD

_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors_

_=Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid=_

_Stories of adventures in strange places, with peculiar people and queer animals._

1. THROUGH THE AIR TO THE NORTH POLE
_or The Wonderful Cruise of the Electric Monarch_

The tale of a trip to the frozen North with a degree of reality that is most convincing.

2. UNDER THE OCEAN TO THE SOUTH POLE
_or The Strange Cruise of the Submarine Wonder_

A marvelous trip from Maine to the South Pole, telling of adventures with the sea-monsters and savages.

3. FIVE THOUSAND MILES UNDERGROUND
_or The Mystery of the Center of the Earth_

A cruise to the center of the earth through an immense hole found at an island in the ocean.

4. THROUGH SPACE TO MARS
_or The Most Wonderful Trip on Record_

This book tells how the journey was made in a strange craft and what happened on Mars.

5. LOST ON THE MOON
_or In Quest of the Field of Diamonds_

Strange adventures on the planet which is found to be a land of desolation and silence.

6. ON A TORN-AWAY WORLD
_or Captives of the Great Earthquake_

After a tremendous convulsion of nature the adventurers find themselves captives on a vast “island in the air.”

7. THE CITY BEYOND THE CLOUDS
_or Captured by the Red Dwarfs_

The City Beyond the Clouds is a weird place, full of surprises, and the impish Red Dwarfs caused no end of trouble. There is a fierce battle in the woods and in the midst of this a volcanic eruption sends the Americans sailing away in a feverish endeavor to save their lives.

_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_

CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York

Transcriber’s Notes:

--Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in
bold by “equal” signs (=bold=).

--Printer, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently
corrected, except as noted below.

--Archaic and variable spelling is preserved.

--Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.

--Inconsistencies in formatting and punctuation of individual
advertisements have been retained.

--Table of Contents printer errors in chapter titles, page numbers,
and chapter ordering have been corrected to match the text.

End of Project Gutenberg's Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip, by Allen Chapman