JACK WINTERS' CAMPMATES

by

MARK OVERTON

Made in U. S. A.

M. A. Donohue & Company Chicago--New York

Copyright 1919, by The New York Book Co.

Made in U. S. A.

[Illustration: Here they knelt and waited and waited.]

CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. A GREAT STREAK OF LUCK 11 II. JACK AND HIS MATES IN CAMP 19 III. THE FIRST NIGHT UNDER CANVAS 27 IV. TAKING A LOOK AROUND 36 V. TOBY'S ADVENTURE 45 VI. SIGNS OF MORE TROUBLE 54 VII. PROSPECTING FOR PICTURES 63 VIII. WHEN THE CAT RULED THE ROOST 72 IX. BACK TO THE WOODS CAMP 80 X. THE NIGHT ALARM 89 XI. THE RASCALLY THIEF 98 XII. FISHERMAN'S LUCK 107 XIII. THE MAN WITH THE PICKAX 116 XIV. WHEN THE SUN STOOD STILL 125 XV. JACK LIFTS THE LID 134 XVI. STORM-BOUND 144 XVII. THE PROSPECTORS 151 XVIII. INSIDE THE ENEMY'S LINES 160 XIX. THE COMING OF THE CRISIS 168 XX. OUT OF THE WOODS--CONCLUSION 177

JACK WINTERS' CAMPMATES

CHAPTER I

A GREAT STREAK OF LUCK

"Anybody home?"

"Sure, walk right in, Toby. My latch-string is always out to my chums. I see you managed to pick up Steve on the way across; but I wager you had really to pry him loose from that dandy new volume on travel he was telling me about, because he's such a bookworm."

The two boys who hastened to accept this warm invitation, and enter Jack Winters' snug "den" were his most particular chums. Those who have been lucky enough to read the preceding volume of this series[1] will of course require no introduction to Steve Mullane and Toby Hopkins. However, as many newcomers may for the first time be making the acquaintance of the trio in these pages, it might be just as well to enumerate a few of their leading characteristics, and then we can get along with our story.

Steve was a pretty husky fellow, a bit slow about making up his mind, but firm as adamant, once he had convictions. He had proved himself a wonder as a backstop in the thrilling baseball contests so lately played with Harmony, the champion team of the county. Indeed, it was due in great part to his terrific batting, and general field work that the Chester nine came out of those contests, under Jack Winters' leadership, with such high honors.

Table of contents (by pages)

• 1: Jack Winters' Campmates by Mark Overton
• 2: Toby Hopkins was something of a genius in many ways
• 3: Steve no longer reclined at full length on the lounge
• 4: Hired from Tim Butler's livery stable
• 5: There's something moving back of that hanging vine
• 6: He found Toby unharnessing Moses
• 7: And taken off the keen edge of his clamorous appetite
• 8: Toby asked this question as though he sought information
• 9: For old Steve was sleeping fine
• 10: And Toby in particular was loud in praise of them
• 11: And the rest kept handy for immediate use
• 12: Eagerly then Toby secured his jointed rod
• 13: And Steve pretended to be greatly overjoyed at seeing him
• 14: Admitted Toby with an important air
• 15: Thinking that either Steve here
• 16: Also how we licked Harmony at baseball
• 17: But Jack only turned to Toby and commenced to quiz him
• 18: Steve and Toby insisted on taking charge
• 19: Guess it must be a whole lot like the almanac people
• 20: That's just about the haphazard way almanacs are built up
• 21: Guess I can read tracks when I see them
• 22: Toby waving them goodbye with his dish towel
• 23: Some of which were veritable forest monarchs
• 24: It was very pleasant for Steve
• 25: Valiant Steve gripped his club with a firmer clutch
• 26: And sent another shiver over Steve
• 27: Gritted the burly Steve between his teeth
• 28: What use are pesky wildcats anyway
• 29: Steve found another source for worry
• 30: Steve gave utterance to a startled cry
• 31: A Canada lynx is an altogether different object
• 32: Ferocious is hardly the word to describe that wildcat
• 33: This cord is our insurance policy
• 34: Toby had kept himself busy much of the day
• 35: He grasped the flashlight in a trembling hand
• 36: Steve believed even this might be possible
• 37: A very sociable whinny in fact
• 38: We've got to make him break away from those oats
• 39: He often told the more impatient Toby
• 40: Nevertheless Toby got the first fish
• 41: Here Toby was able to use both of his hands
• 42: Accordingly Toby lifted the string of fish from the water
• 43: With the pickax held over his shoulder
• 44: A fact that struck Toby as surprising
• 45: Of course Steve was delighted when he saw the monster bass
• 46: Steve said in a cautious voice
• 47: But with Toby it was just the opposite
• 48: If only Toby could duplicate Jack's catch
• 49: Because I know Miss Haydock right well
• 50: Dangerfield is here on the ground
• 51: And she said my biscuits were mighty near as good as hers
• 52: At that Steve began to chuckle
• 53: Though Toby hung around to quiz him
• 54: Toby was secretly almost as much concerned as Steve
• 55: Steve had the nerve deliberately to draw the short straw
• 56: The Indians always used to carry pemmican along with them
• 57: Once Toby awakened the other two by talking
• 58: And must try the fishing with Toby here for a starter
• 59: There'll be pretty lively doings in Chester
• 60: Toby was looking around him eagerly
• 61: Learning of our presence in the woods
• 62: That's an oil derrick and they've sunk a trial well
• 63: And get the oil derrick in focus
• 64: And fairly staggered Toby by its immensity
• 65: Toby held his breath from very awe
• 66: And even after a fashion had a queer tasting omelette
• 67: He meant to dry the film that afternoon
• 68: Jack Winter's Gridiron Chums Overton 8
• 69: Donohue company711 south dearborn street