“I’d like to get another look at that old fox,” declared Fred, as he adjusted his roll.
“Nothing doing!” declared Jack. “You leave well enough alone. Don’t you remember that old story about Larry Duncan? He went into a fox’s den and one of the old timers jumped up and just about bit off his nose. You’d look fine with half your nose missing!”
“Oh, come on—I was only fooling,” answered the youngest Rover boy.
In a short while they had left the old cabin and were once more on the road. For over half a mile they had to slosh along through the mud and water, but after that they came to a stony trail where going was considerably better. The stop at the cabin had rested them, and they made good progress during the last two miles of the hike.
“Hurrah! The sun is coming out!” cried Gif presently. “I think we’ve seen the last of that storm.”
Randy and Spouter were in advance and presently they set up a shout as they came in sight of the little hunters’ lodge for which the party was bound. This place belonged to a couple of gentlemen living near Dexter’s Corners and they often allowed the Rovers and others to use it.
When they arrived at the place the boys found the door locked and all the wooden shutters over the windows in place. Jack had the key and they soon opened up. Then while Fred and Andy started the fire on the hearth of the broad stone chimney the others opened the windows and placed the lodge in order generally.
“We’ll have to dry out our clothing first of all,” declared Gif. “It’s lucky we brought extra knickers along in our rolls.”
“Yes, and then I’ll want something to eat!” declared Andy. “Gee, I’m almost hungry enough to chew nails!”