Chapter XIV: Bluff Takes Chances

There never was such a frightened group of fellows as that crowd when they saw their basket of provisions vanish in the grip of this awful-looking object.

For a few seconds they seemed too astonished to even move, and the thief had actually gone out of sight in the brush before the first boy made a jump after him.

Whether it was a touch of valor that actuated him, or the desire to get back the precious basket that held their food, it would be hard to say.

"Look out!" shouted Frank, who had seen something descending along the face of the little rise.

Even as he spoke a shower of stones, together with lumps of earth, fell with a great clatter. Somebody was bombarding the camp from above! It looked as though the wild man must have had wings to reach that spot, if the missiles came from him.

By this time Pet himself was in full flight. He had snatched up his loose garments from the sticks on which they were drying at the fire, and made for the shelter of the bushes on the other side of the camp.

The rest scampered this way and that, one even hiding inside the tent, while a couple of others tried to budge the heavy boat that had been drawn up high and dry on the shore, as if seriously considering the chances of flight.

Frank saw his opportunity to get away, and was not slow to avail himself of it.

"Thanks, awfully, Mr. Wild Man; I'm indebted to you," he laughed, as he started along the little beach, headed for his own camp.

He knew his chums would be dreadfully anxious by this time. They must have surely heard the excited cries from the other camp, and would be alarmed lest something had happened to him.

As he drew near he whistled. This was a signal that Bluff should recognize, and which would tell him who approached, so that he would not be tempted to fire, or make any threatening demonstration.

"Welcome back, Frank!" exclaimed Bluff, as he appeared in sight.

"Sure, we're glad to see you safe and sound. From the racket we began to be afraid that you'd got into trouble," observed Will.

"The trouble seemed to be on the other side, boys. They've fared worse than we did. In our case it was only a kettle full of stew; but they lost everything!"

"What's that? Do you mean somebody cribbed their grub?" demanded Bluff.

"Just what happened, and right under my eyes, too. I saw it done. Oh! what you missed then, Will! If you could only have snapped off that picture, there wouldn't be a single soul in Centerville doubt the story about the wild man," said Frank.

"Wild man! Do you mean to say he entered their camp while you were there?"

"And actually grabbed up their stuff under your eyes? Then you can tell us what he looked like. Was it really a man, or an animal, Frank?" questioned Bluff, excitedly.

Frank shook his head, as he replied:

"There you've got me, for just on the spur of the moment I couldn't say positively. He walked on two legs, and seemed like a man; but looked like a great big chimpanzee, or an ape, I've seen do tricks at the circus. Anyway, he was a terrible object, and sent a shiver over me."

"Gracious goodness! and he stole their provisions, you said?" exclaimed Will, involuntarily looking around as if he half expected the dreadful wild man to rush into view right then and there.

"Everything they had, I imagine. One good thing, it will make them get out in the morning, and for that we're obliged to the wild man. If only Jerry were here, now, I'd be feeling first-class," resumed Frank, with a sigh.

"But I don't understand why he'd enter their camp when he could have gotten a lot of much better grub right here in ours," said Bluff, shaking his head.

"Well, you see, he's evidently afraid of our guns; and, perhaps, he happened to know that they had none over yonder," explained Frank.

"But is that reasonable? Would a crazy man stop for such a little thing as that? It strikes me this raid on their eating department looks like a set-up job."

"There now, Bluff, you've set me to thinking again. I neglected to tell you all that happened. When the hairy monster was making off with the basket, one of the boys started after him; and then and there a shower of stones and dirt came down from above, and fell all around him. After that there was a quick scattering," remarked Frank.

"Evidently the wild man had a friend close by; he wasn't alone then. Say, perhaps he's formed a league with those ugly hoboes. They're all a hungry lot, and ready to steal anything that comes along in the way of grub."

"Again you may be right, Bluff. If you keep on guessing I'm sure we'll know all about the whole business soon," laughed Frank.

"But how about that other scheme of yours?" asked Bluff.

"What's that--the trip to town?"

"Yes. Haven't changed your mind about it, eh, Frank?" asked the other.

"Are you willing to make the attempt?" queried Frank, promptly.

"Try me, that's all. Now that the old moon's up it will be just fun. I can make it in a little time, and hunt up the sheriff. Why, the lot of us may even be back here by morning, boys," replied Bluff, enthusiastically.

He always went into anything with his whole soul, though perhaps his ardor might cool sooner than the grim determination of Frank, or even Jerry.

"That would be fine. Well, since you don't object, suppose you get the canoe ready. Will and I will remain to watch the camp, because we seem to be surrounded by a raft of enemies, all eager to do us a bad turn if they can. With Jerry missing, the case looks serious, and something must be done to round these bad men up."

Bluff immediately jumped up and hurried over to where the three canoes were fastened together with the chain and padlocks. He proceeded to get his own boat free from all entanglements, and presently had it launched upon the water.

Then he came back for the paddle and to receive any parting instructions Frank might see fit to give him.

"Make reasonably good time, Bluff, but don't push yourself, mind. There's no such great hurry as all that. When you get to town go right away to police headquarters and see if you can find Mr. Dodd."

"What if he happens to be away?" asked Bluff, wishing to be prepared for any emergency that might chance to arise.

"Then wait as long as you can for him. Should you get tired in the end, leave a letter to be delivered as soon as he shows up; then return to us here. It may be possible, even as you hint, that the sheriff is away hunting the woods to the south for those two rascally, thievish hoboes. That's all, Bluff. Good-by, and good luck!"

Bluff shook hands with each of his chums. Then he gave his canoe a push that started it going out, sprang in over the stern with the accurate balance of an expert, picked up his paddle and commenced his moonlight cruise back to town.

Frank and Will stood there watching him as long as they could see the dark object upon the moonlit water of the lake; then they turned and silently entered the camp once more.

From somewhere out upon the great stretch of water came the strange cry of a loon that had lingered ere going to its northern summer home. The sound was particularly mournful, it seemed to Frank.

"Can he make it, do you think?" asked Will, who seemed unusually worried to-night; for all these stories about wonderful chances which he had lost had begun to work upon his mind.

"Without the slightest doubt. Why not? There's no sea running, the wind has died away to a whisper, and the moon is bright. Why, Bluff would like nothing better than a circuit of the entire lake at such a time," replied Frank.

"I was just wondering whether anything might get after him on the water, that's all," remarked the other.

"Chuck that sort of talk. Don't be a pessimist, Will. Of course he can make it, and, perhaps, as he says, they may all be here by morning, ready to gather in those clever rascals," declared Frank, stoutly.

"But why do you suppose they ever came here to Wildcat Island to hide?"

"I've been thinking about that. There's that Waddy Walsh you speak about--since he has lived here he possibly knows something about this place. Then again they may have heard about the wild man, and how the island is shunned by every one in the neighborhood. In that case, you see, it would offer a splendid hiding-place for a couple of men trying to escape the sheriff."

"Frank, you just seem to hit on the right thing. That must be the fact. And our coming here rather upset their plans," said Will.

"Yes, but it gave them a supper last night. They must have been too hurried in their flight to lay in any stock of food. Perhaps they intended going across to the mainland from time to time, and stealing chickens from the farmers."

"I'll be jiggered if I can see how there could be any connection between those scamps and that wild man with the hairy hide. Perhaps it was an ape, and he has a mate on the island. Would you shoot him if you saw him, Frank?"

"H'm, that depends. Certainly not unless I thought my life was in danger. I say that, because I really believe myself that it is a human being. And I have a little suspicion that is hardly strong enough as yet to mention, but which I intend to think over. But let us settle down and take things as comfortable as we can. I'll stand watch for a while, and then let you take my place. Lie down and rest, Will."