Chapter XVIII: Setting the Trap

Of course when Andy made this surprising report the rest of the boys were of a mind to rush over in a body to joke Dan, and perhaps make fun of his labors. Mr. Holwell, however, dissuaded them.

“Better leave Dan to finish his trap, boys,” he told them. “He’s a busy fellow these days it seems, and deserves success if anybody does. If he needs any help you’ll hear him call for it. In the meanwhile don’t thrust yourselves where evidently you’re not wanted.”

Accordingly, all dropped back into their comfortable seats, and took it out in speculating as to what the worker could have in mind when his ambition led him to want to trap a real wild man of the woods.

Dan did not show up in time to take part in the customary preparations for dinner. There were plenty of recruits, however, for with hunger urging them on the campers showed an eagerness to hasten the getting of the evening meal. Sunny Jim grinned more broadly than ever when he found his tasks so cheerfully lightened.

They managed to hold themselves in check until Mr. Holwell had asked the customary blessing. Somehow this influence for good was felt even by those lads who had never known such a custom in their own homes. It seemed especially well suited to the leafy canopy overhead, the gurgling waters lapping the shore near by, and the sense of freedom around that brought them closer to nature and to God.

Dan made his appearance about the time they were half through, and the twilight shadows were stealing timidly out of the recesses of the mysterious woods.

Many curious looks were cast in his direction, but somewhat to his surprise no one ventured to joke him about his ambitious labors. Dan himself, when the edge had been taken from his appetite, introduced the topic voluntarily.

“Course you fellows are wondering what I’m up to,” he said, with a grin. “Well, I got a little idea into my cranium, and have been working the same out, with the aid of a hatchet, a hammer and some nails. In fact, I’ve set a trap hoping to coax the escaped lunatic to go in, after which it’ll drop and hold him for us.”

“But what will you bait it with, Dan?” demanded Peg, with seeming innocence, “because you know my aluminum frying-pan is gone, and we haven’t got another shiny watch in the camp nowadays.”

“Oh! that’s easy,” said Dan, carelessly. “I reckon now that even a crazy man is liable to get hungry right along. I’m going to bait the trap with some sort of food that I think ought to draw him on. Just wait and see, that’s all.”

The evening passed in the usual occupations. Some of the boys busied themselves in one way and some in another. Some had writing to do; some worked with pictures they had taken during the day, and which were to be developed at night time.

Already the keen spirit of rivalry had taken complete possession of the campers. The prizes that had been offered to those coming in with the best flashlight photograph, the cleanest score in nature study, the highest marks in knowledge of woodcraft, and numerous other courses laid out by Mr. Rowland, may have had something to do with their perseverance.

There was more, however, than this desire for gain urging the boys on. Most of them really yearned to improve themselves along certain lines, and to be adjudged first in their class would be considered proof that they had met with success.

So there was hardly a boy in the camp aside from Nat and his two sombre cronies, Dit Hennesy and Alonzo Crane, but found himself entering into the spirited rivalry that would act as a spur to achievement.

When finally “taps” was sounded on Mr. Bartlett’s cornet, Asa was given a place next to Dick, Andy Hale being transferred to another tent, though no one thought to ask why this was done. If the boys talked it over at all they must have reached the conclusion that Asa was growing nervous about sleeping in a tent further removed from the fire at a time when there was a creature of an unknown species prowling about on Bass Island.

By degrees the camp fell into an utter silence, though occasionally some one, who may have been lying on his back, would begin to breathe louder than his mates liked, whereupon he was punched in the ribs, and made to roll over.

It must have been well on toward midnight when the sleepers were suddenly aroused by a tremendous crash not far away; and immediately an exodus from the several shelters began. Boys, clad in various patterns of pajamas, all looking a bit frightened, gathered about in groups.