He and Amos started off, and were soon at the spot. A creek, it seemed, ran into the Beaverkill at that point, and it was really under the bank of this the hermit mink lived in a hole that doubtless had many side passages.
Elmer examined the ground thoroughly, and then they decided just where it would be best to place the camera trap. The pan and flashlight cartridge could lie flat on the ground just alongside, and the cord that upon being jerked would cause the firing of the flashlight ran out to a certain point that Amos said would be in exact focus.
All these preparations were carried out with as little noise as possible, the boys seldom communicating while at work save in whispers; for they did not wish to frighten the timid game, doubtless at the time deep down in his burrow under the rocks and earth of the creek bank.
Finally everything necessary had been carried out. Amos went over it all for the last time, and concluded that he could not better the arrangements in any possible manner.
Accordingly they left the spot, Amos with the avowed intention of being out at first peep of dawn so as to make sure the shutter of the camera was closed before sunlight could destroy the result of their clever trick.
CHAPTER XIII
THE AWAKENING OF PERK
Because Amos was feeling much more cheerful they sang some that night. Perhaps the great woods up at Log Cabin Bend had never before echoed with the rare melody of four boyish voices. The little four-footed furry denizens of the forest must surely have listened in sheer amazement to catch the unwonted sounds floating through the leafy aisles, and believed that their solitude was indeed a thing of the past.
It was mostly rollicking school songs, intermingled with some of the popular military airs of the war time that they favored. Elmer saw to it that in no case did they switch to anything that had a touch of sadness about it. He wanted Amos to forget his troubles as much as possible, not hug them to his heart.
Fortunately it proved to be a peaceful night, with no trace of coming storm, which was a good thing for the photographic experiment.
At peep of dawn, Elmer waked just in time to catch a glimpse of Amos stealing out of the cabin, he having managed to get the door open without making much noise. Although Elmer raised his head he did not utter a sound to let the other know he had been observed; for he knew very well that Amos had his camera in mind, and was heading for the spot where it had been set ready for Mr. Mink.