Then the trip down the mountainside began. It was truly hard work, for the drag caught on some rocks and slid altogether too fast over others. Then, at one point, they came close to running into a nest of hornets. One of the wicked creatures stung Whopper on the hand and another stung Shep on the neck, and there followed a wild dancing and yelling, while the boys allowed the drag to tumble over and over down the rocks and ran for safety.
"Look out for the hornets!"
"We"ll be stung to death!
"Did you ever see the match!" groaned Whopper, after the excitement was over. "Just gaze on that hand---as big as a baseball mitt!
"And look at my neck!" came dolefully from the doctor"s son.
A few of the hornets were buzzing around the fallen carca.s.s of the bear and the young hunters did not dare to approach until the pests had departed. Then the drag was righted and the journey down the mountainside was continued.
"Who ever thought so many things would happen on this trip," was Snap"s comment. "First we shot the bear, then we tumbled into the hole, then we were buried alive, next the ghost came along, and then followed the wolves and the hornets."
"Yes, and we are not back to camp yet," sighed Giant. "I think I"ll rest for a week after this."
"We ought to send this bear down to town," said Whopper. "I"d like to put it on exhibition, just to show Ham Spink and some other folks what we can do."
"Well, we might send it down in some way," answered Snap. "But come on, I am getting hungry, and we"re a long way still from the lake sh.o.r.e."
"We are coming to a cliff of some sort," announced Giant, who was in advance. "Take it easy now, or the drag will drag you where you don"t want to go."
They advanced with caution, and presently saw the cliff. Below were some thick cedar trees, the tops reaching just above the cliff.
"Listen!" cried Snap, and put up his hand for silence.
For a full minute they heard nothing, and the others were just going to ask the leader what he had heard when there came a shrill laugh from the cedars.
"Ha ha! I am dead! He is dead!" said a ghostly voice. "Who will bury me? See the lights! I am dead! He is dead! Ha ha!"
"The ghost!" gasped Giant, and made a movement as if to retreat.
"Don"t run," commanded Snap. "It is broad daylight. Let us investigate this matter."
"I am dead! He is dead! Ha ha!" came the voice again, and then followed a laugh that chilled them to the backbone. By this time all of the young hunters had their firearms around in front of them, ready for use.
"Well, if this isn"t the queerest---" began Shep, when there was a fluttering in the tops of the cedars and a big bird flew directly over their heads. As quick as a wink, Snap took aim with his rifle and let drive. The bird uttered a shrill cry, almost human, and fluttered down at their feet. Then Shep struck at it with his gun barrel, and it fell over lifeless.
"A parrot!"
"Yes, and he"s the one who made the ghostly sounds!"
"Did you ever see the beat!"
"No wonder we couldn"t locate that voice in the dark!"
Such were some of the comments of the young hunters as they gathered around the dead parrot. Snap picked the creature up, made certain it was dead, and opened its mouth.
"Yes, he was a talker right enough," he said.
"But I"d like to know who taught him to say such awful things and nothing else?"
"Most likely the fellow who is playing ghost," answered Whopper.
"Yes, and that fellow must be close by," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Giant. "He and the parrot probably traveled together."
"In that case, let us try to find Mr. Ghost," said the doctor"s son. Now the mystery of the ghostly voice was explained he was no longer afraid.
"What will we do with the bear?" asked Snap.
It was voted to leave the carca.s.s where it was, and this decided upon, the young hunters looked around for some way of getting down the cliff.
"Here"s a rope ladder!" cried Snap. "Boys, do you know what I think?" he added.
"What?"
"I think we are near to where that ghost lives!"
"Then let us pay him a visit and ask him what he means by his outrageous conduct," answered the doctor"s son.
Then all commenced to descend the rope ladder, which led to the bottom of the cliff.
CHAPTER x.x.xI
THE LAST OF THE GHOST---CONCLUSION
It was a strong ladder and put up with care, so the young hunters had no fear of falling. At the foot they discovered a well-defined trail running along the base of the cliff to where gushed forth a small stream of pure, cold water. Near the spring was an empty can, evidently used as a drinking cup. The boys were thirsty and all took a drink. Then they continued on the trail, until they came in sight of a small log hut, almost hidden among the trees and bushes.
"Perhaps that is where Mr. Ghost lives," suggested Whopper, trying to speak as lightly as he could, although his voice trembled slightly.
"We can knock on the door and ask," answered Snap.
"Beware!" came suddenly, from the vicinity of the hut. "Come not a step nearer, if you value your lives!"
And then they saw the ghost like figure in yellow, with the dangling red horns, moving among the bushes.
For just one moment the young hunters were badly frightened and inclined to run. Then they gazed at each other questioningly and stood their ground.
"We want to talk to you!" cried Snap. "We know you are a humbug."
"Yes, and we know all about your parrot," added the doctor"s son.
He did not deem it wise to mention that they had killed the talking bird.
"Go away! Go away!" answered the figure in yellow. "This forest is mine! The lake is mine! Go away, ere it is too late!"