Part 11 (2/2)

While they were engaged at this task, Albert saw a pair of fiery eyes regarding them from the undergrowth.

”See, d.i.c.k,” he said, ”what is that?”

d.i.c.k saw the eyes, the lean ugly body behind it, and he shuddered. He knew. It was the timber wolf, largest and fiercest of the species, brother to him whom he had seen prowling about the ruined wagon train. The brute called up painful memories, and, seizing his rifle, he fired at a spot midway between the red eyes. The wolf uttered a howl, leaped high in the air, and fell dead, lying without motion, stretched on his side.

”I didn't like the way he looked at us,” explained d.i.c.k.

A horrible growling and snapping came from the bushes presently.

”What's that?” asked Albert.

”It's only Mr. Timber Wolf's brethren eating up Mr. Timber Wolf, now that he is no longer of any use to himself.”

Albert shuddered, too.

It was nightfall when they took away the last of the buffalo for which they cared, and as they departed they heard in the twilight the patter of light feet.

”It's the timber wolves rus.h.i.+ng for what we've left,” said d.i.c.k.

”Those are big and fierce brutes, and you and I, Al, must never go out without a rifle or a revolver. You can't tell what they'll try, especially in the winter.”

The entire roof of the cabin was covered the next day with the buffalo robe and the drying meat, and birds of prey began to hover above it. Albert const.i.tuted himself watchman, and, armed with a long stick, took his place on the roof, where he spent the day.

d.i.c.k shouldered one of the shotguns and went down to the lake.

There he shot several fine teal, and in one of the gra.s.sy glades near it he roused up prairie hen. Being a fine shot, he secured four of these, and returned to the cabin with his acceptable spoil.

They had now such a great supply of stores and equipment that their place was crowded and they scarcely had room for sleeping on the floor.

”What we need,” said d.i.c.k, ”is an annex, a place that can be used for a storehouse only, and this valley, which has been so kind to us, ought to continue being kind and furnish it.”

The valley did furnish the annex, and it was Albert who found it. He discovered a little further up the cleft an enormous oak, old and decayed. The tree was at lease seven feet through, and the hollow itself was fully five feet in diameter, with a height of perhaps fourteen feet. It was very rough inside with sharp projections in every direction which had kept any large animal from making his den there, but Albert knew at once that the needed place had been found. Full of enthusiasm he ran for d.i.c.k, who came instantly to see.

”Fine,” said d.i.c.k approvingly. ”We'll call it the 'Annex,' sure enough, and we'll get to work right away with our axes.”

They cut out all the splinters and other projections, smoothing off the round walls and the floor, and they also extended the hollow overhead somewhat.

”This is to be a two-story annex,” said d.i.c.k. ”We need lots of room.”

High up they ran small poles across, fixing them firmly in the tree on either side, and lower down they planted many wooden pegs and hooks on which they might hang various articles.

”Everything will keep dry in here,” said Albert. ”I would not mind sleeping in the Annex, but when the door is closed there won't be a particle of air.”

It was the ”door” that gave them the greatest trouble. The opening by which they entered the hollow was about four feet high and a foot and a half across, and both boys looked at it a long time before they could see a way to solve the puzzle.

”That door has to be strong enough to keep everything out,” said d.i.c.k. ”We mean to keep most of our meat supply in there, and that, of course, will draw wild animals, little and big; it's the big ones we've got to guard against.”

After strenuous thinking, they smoothed off all the sides of the opening in order that a flat surface might fit perfectly against them. Then d.i.c.k cut down a small oak, and split out several boards--not a difficult task for him, as he had often helped to make boards in Illinois. The boards were laid together the width of the opening and were held in place by cross pieces fastened with wooden pegs. Among their stores were two augers and two gimlets, and they were veritable G.o.dsends; they enabled the boys to make use of pegs and to save the few nails that they had for other and greater emergencies.

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