CHAPTER XV

THE STORY OF LOST LAKE

The trick Bob had played seemed to be much appreciated among the crowd of miners and herdsmen who were gathered at the hotel. They laughed loud and long over the sight Simmons had presented.

"I guess he'll know better than to fool with the next lad that comes along in one of them choo-choo wagons," was the hotel proprietor's comment.

Bob gathered up the specimens that belonged to the professor and they were put in the car, together with a fresh supply of provisions that were purchased at the village store.

"I guess we'll be traveling," suggested the professor. The boys agreed with him, for though they knew the pleasures of sleeping beneath a roof, yet the character of the men who stayed at the hotel was so rough that they feared further rows. So, in spite of the entreaties of the hotel keeper they started off, having inquired the best roads to take.

Through the afternoon they bowled over a well elevated table land. The air was fine and bracing. Off in the distance to the west could be seen the first ranges of the big mountains.

"That's where our mine is," said Jerry, his eyes shining.

"Maybe it isn't ours after all," put in Bob.

"Now there you go, Chunky. What do you want to call up unpleasant subjects for?" asked Ned reproachfully. "Anyhow it's our mine until some one takes it away from us, and I guess they'll have quite a fight, with Nestor on guard."

The others thought so too. Jerry, who was steering, was sending the auto forward at a fast clip, when the professor, who always had his eyes open called out:

"What's that just ahead of us? Looks like a bear."

"Where?" asked Ned.

"Right in line with that big rock," went on the scientist, who had very good eyes and could see a long distance.

"It's only a tree stump," spoke Bob.

"I didn't know tree stumps could move," went on Mr. Snodgrass, "for this one is certainly coming toward us. It's not a bear after all," he continued, now that the object was nearer. "It's a bull! That's what it is! It looks as if it meant to go for us!"

The boys could now see that the beast was one of the big, long-horned western cattle. It had evidently strayed from the herd, or had been made an outcast because of a bad temper and a perpetual desire to fight. The latter seemed more likely, for, as the auto proceeded, and the bull came on, lessening the distance between the two, a defiant bellow of rage sounded.

"I hope he don't try to ram us," spoke Jerry. "We don't want any more collisions."

"See if you can't run away from him," suggested Ned.

By this time the bull was about one hundred yards away. It was coming straight for the auto. Jerry opened the muffler and at the sound of the explosions the bull stopped short.

At this point the road ran in a sort of depression, with hills rising on either side. It was rather narrow, so there was no chance to turn to one side. Jerry had to bring the machine to a stop or else run the risk of hitting the bull. He thought the animal might run away if it saw the machine coming toward him, but there was nothing sure about this.

"Well, this is a regular hold-up," said the professor. "I wonder whether the bull wants to collect toll?"

The animal seemed to be growing angrier and angrier every minute. It bellowed loudly, pawed the earth with its hoofs, and shook the lowered head, armed with sharp horns. Occasionally the keen points would tear up the ground.

"I wouldn't want him to strike one of our tires," remarked Ned. "It would be all up with it."

"Hurrah! I have it!" cried Bob at length.

He dove beneath the rear seat and pulled up a shining object.

"The ammonia squirt gun!" he exclaimed. "The same we used on the hold-up tramps. Give the bull a dose of it!"

"Good idea," commented Jerry.

The bulb of the automatic pistol was still filled with the fiery liquid, for the boys kept it loaded in readiness for use. Bob handed it over to Jerry. The latter took careful aim, and pressed the rubber. A fine stream of the powerful stuff struck the bull full in the face.

With a bellow that fairly shook the ground near-by the bull reared up in the air, and coming down on all fours snorted with rage, shook its head to rid its eyes of the terrible burning, and then dashed madly away.

"Now I guess we can get past," remarked Bob, "and get some supper. I'm as hungry as a bear."

A good fire was soon started and Ned began to prepare the meal. While the others were setting out the dishes, or getting ready for the night camp, since it seemed there was no place for shelter in the neighborhood, the travelers were startled by a voice:

"Evenin' strangers," called a tall, thin man who strolled down the slight hill at the foot of which the party were encamped. "Have you got a bite to spare?"

"Plenty," replied the professor cheerfully. "Come right along. Supper will be ready in a little while. Are you hungry?"

"Hungry? I should say so. I haven't had a bit to eat for two days, except what berries and old nuts I could gather."

"What's the matter? Get lost?" asked Jerry.

"Exactly," replied the stranger. "My name's Johnson," he went on. "I was prospecting up in the hills, and got lost there."

"Anybody with you?" asked Ned.

"Nary a soul; I'm all alone. I used up the last of my grub in trying to find the trail, and I guess I'd been looking for it yet if I hadn't heard the noise of your steam engine here, and smelled the cooking. I s'pose you're huntin' for it, same as me."

"Hunting for what?" asked the professor, struck by Johnson's manner.

"Why Lost Lake, to be sure. Nobody comes out this far unless they're huntin' for the lake, but you're the first to come in a steam car without rails."

"Well, it's a free country," remarked the scientist, wishing to evade giving a direct answer, in the hope of learning something. "I guess we have a right to hunt for the lake."

"Of course, of course you have, strangers," went on Johnson. "No offense. Have you struck a trace of it yet?"

"Not yet," replied Mr. Snodgrass. "To tell you the truth," the professor went on, "we don't know much about this lost lake."

"Nor no one else," said Johnson. "I'll tell you all I know, which isn't much. I've been looking for it 'most a year now."

"Suppose we have supper first," suggested the professor as he noted the eyes Johnson was casting at the food. "We can talk afterward."

"That's the best word I've heard in a good while," said the newcomer.

He ate with a rapidity that left no doubt about his hunger. Nor were the others far behind him, as the crisp air of the mountain region had given them all famous appetites.

"Now for Lost Lake," spoke Jerry when all had their fill.

"It's supposed to be in those mountains over there," began Johnson, pointing to the range off in the west, now dimly discernible in the dusk. "It's said to be a beautiful sheet of water, with high peaks all around it. It was discovered forty years ago by a prospector, and he came to the nearest village with the news. But when he went to lead a party back they couldn't find the trail. Ever since then people have tried to find Lost Lake, but no one has ever succeeded. Many have been killed trying."

"But why does any one want to find a lake hidden in the mountains?" asked Mr. Snodgrass.

"Yes, tell us?" asked Ned.

"Why, for the gold on its banks, of course," said Johnson. "Didn't I say that? I meant to. The man who discovered it said there were pebbles of gold on the shores. He brought back a pocket full to prove it. I got the fever quite a few months ago, but nothing has come of all my efforts, and this time I nearly died. It was terrible up in the mountains. There's not a soul there I believe."

"And you didn't even get a glimpse of the lake?" asked Ned.

"Nary a look, young man. But I'm sure it's there. I'm going back to town, get a new outfit and some provisions, and have another try."

He was another example of how the gold fever grips one.

"Maybe we'll come across the lake, though we're not looking for it," said Jerry.

"Maybe you will," assented the prospector. "That's generally the way. The first man was not hunting for it, but he came upon it one night when the moon was shining. If you do find it, look out for the old hermit, that's all."