E-text prepared by Jim Ludwig
or, The Outing of the Gun Club
by
CHAPTERS
I. Target Shooting and a Plan
II. The Fire at the Saw Mill
III. Down the River
IV. The Disappearance of the Boat
V. Another Start
VI. A First Night in Camp
VII. Something About a Strange Animal
VIII. An Unwelcome Arrival
IX. A Night of Discomfort
X. Giant and the Maskalonge
XI. In a New Camp
XII. Shep and the Hollow Tree
XIII. Lost in the Woods
XIV. The Boys and the Wildcat
XV. The Cave in the Mountain
XVI. A Successful Deer Hunt
XVII. The Rival Campers
XVIII. A Mix-Up in Camp
XIX. Another Hunt After Dark
XX. In a Storm on the Lake
XXI. A Camp and a Prisoner
XXII. Rabbits, Nuts and a Snake
XXIII. After Mountain Brook Mink
XXIV. Ham Spink and the Skunk
XXV. Surrounded by Wolves
XXVI. Something About Trapping
XXVII. The Deserted Cottage
XVIII. The Boy Hunters and a Bear
XXIX. A Strange Meeting in the Forest
XXX. Words and a Blow
XXXI. The Forest Fire—-Conclusion
My Dear Lads:
This tale of "Four Boy Hunters" is a complete story in itself, butforms the first volume of a line to be called "The Boy HuntersSeries," taking the heroes through various adventures while searchingfor big and little game in the woods and in the mountains.
The boys are bright, lively fellows of to-day, with a natural tastefor a life in the open, and a fondness for a gun and a rod. In thepresent volume they organize their little club, and after a gooddeal of talk obtain permission to go a number of miles from homeand establish a camp on the edge of a lake. From this spot theyare driven away by one who is their enemy, and then they goelsewhere. They have fun and adventures in plenty, around the campand while out after both big and little game, and they help to bringto justice two men who are hiding from the officers of the law.To-day hunting in our country is not what it was some years ago.Many of the best hunting localities have become settled, and itis becoming harder and harder to catch a sight of a deer, or amoose, or a bear, or, in fact, any wild animal of size. In thefar West the buffalo has been practically wiped out, and in theEast the deer and moose would also be gone were it not for theprotection of the law, which makes it illegal to shoot down suchgame during the closed season.
With best wishes to all who love a gun and love good hunting,
I remain, Your sincere friend, Captain Ralph Bonehill.
Cling!
"A bull's-eye!"
Cling!
"Another bull's-eye, I declare!"
Cling!
"Three bull's-eyes, of all things! Snap, you are getting to bea wonder with the rifle. Why, even old Jed Sanborn couldn't dobetter than that."
Charley Dodge, a bright, manly boy of fifteen, laid down the rifleon the counter in the shooting gallery and smiled quietly. "Iguess it was more luck than anything, Shep," he replied. "PerhapsI couldn't do it again."
"Nonsense," came from Sheppard Reed, also a boy of fifteen. "Youhave got it in you to shoot s