FOUR BOY HUNTERS or, The Outing of the Gun Club by CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL CONTENTS 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 PREFACE My Dear Lads: This tale of "_Four Boy Hunters_" is a complete story in itself, but forms the first volume of a line to be called "_The Boy Hunters Series_," taking the heroes through various adventures while searching for big and little game in the woods and in the mountains. The boys are bright, lively fellows of to-day, with a natural taste for a life in the open, and a fondness for a gun and a rod. In the present volume they organize their little club, and after a good deal of talk obtain permission to go a number of miles from home and establish a camp on the edge of a lake. From this spot they are driven away by one who is their enemy, and then they go elsewhere. They have fun and adventures in plenty, around the camp and while out after both big and little game, and they help to bring to 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 it is becoming harder and harder to catch a sight of a deer, or a moose, or a bear, or, in fact, any wild animal of size. In the far West the buffalo has been practically wiped out, and in the East the deer and moose would also be gone were it not for the protection of the law, which makes it illegal to shoot down such game 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. CHAPTER I TARGET SHOOTING AND A PLAN 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 be a wonder with the rifle. Why, even old Jed Sanborn couldn't do better than that."