of the cabin, watching the little girl do
some cunning dance steps which she could hardly have learned up there in
that wilderness.

Judging from his excited condition that Phil had met with an adventure
of some sort, the boys began to ask numerous questions.

"Never mind what it's all about, fellows," he told them. "I want Ethan
and X-Ray to come with me right away. Lub, you look after the cabin, and
Mazie. Ethan, fetch your camp hatchet; and we will need some ends of
rope. Hurry, both of you! I'll explain after we're on the run!"

The blank expression on poor Lub's face told better than words what he
thought of being left out in the cold that way. Still, he was so
accustomed to doing what he was told that such a thing as rebellion
never once entered his head. Besides, he must have realized that some
one had to stay with the child. And when it came to sprinting, as Phil
seemed to think was going to be necessary, Lub was not built for quick
action or long continued running.

Phil had hardly time to draw a dozen long breaths before the other boys
announced that they were ready to accompany him.

Wonder was written in big letters all over their faces. The little Phil
had said must certainly have aroused their curiosity until it reached
fever heat.

"Now, for goodness' sake open up, and tell what all this is about,
please, Phil!" begged X-Ray Tyson, as they ran along in company.

It was no time to even mention anything concerning the stirring
adventure with that stubborn and combative moose bull. Later on he could
relate the story, and perhaps show them the pictures he had taken, to
prove his marvelous tale.

"Man up in the woods here a ways, with a broken leg!" he started to say.

"Whee! is that so?" exclaimed Ethan.

"Mazie's 'daddy' for a cookey!" cried X-Ray, always the first to alight
on a solution to a puzzling question.

"Yes, that's who he is," Phil went on, jerking out his words somewhat,
because he was using up his wind in running. "He broke it while hunting
for the child; and has been nigh crazy ever since. Struck him he might
get help from us. Started to actually drag himself all the way there.
Petered out in the end. Bad shape, too, but think I can pull him through
all right!"

"You want us to help get him home; is that it, Phil?" demanded Ethan.

"Yes, we've just got to do it. Poor fellow needs lots of attention. He'd
likely die if left much longer. I think gangrene would set in, and
finish h