The Boy Chums in the Forest or Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida Everglades   By: Wilmer M. (Wilmer Mateo) Ely

[Frontispiece: "Now, we are in for it," said Charlie, as he found a seat in the fork of a limb. Page 229.]

The Boy Chums

In the Forest

OR

Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida Everglades

BY WILMER M. ELY

Author of "The Boy Chums on Indian River," "The Boy Chums on Haunted Island," "The Boy Chums' Perilous Cruise," "The Boy Chums in the Gulf of Mexico."

[Illustration: Title page art]

A. L. BURT COMPANY

NEW YORK

Copyright 1910

BY A. L. BURT COMPANY

Under the Title of The Young Plume Hunters

THE BOY CHUMS IN THE FOREST

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. [Transcriber's note: no title] II. ON THE WAY III. WOODCRAFT IV. A LESSON V. THE 'GATOR HUNTERS VI. SOME SURPRISES VII. THE QUAGMIRE VIII. THE BATTLE IX. THE BEES AND THE BEAR X. SHOOTING A THIEF XI. THE PAWPAWS XII. CHARLEY'S MISTAKE XIII. THE BATTLE XIV. THE VICTIMS XV. A FLAG OF TRUCE XVI. THE RETREAT XVII. THE FLIGHT BY NIGHT XVIII. CAPTURED XIX. THE SWAMP XX. SAVED XXI. THE TREASURE XXII. DISAPPOINTMENT XXIII. MORE MYSTERY XXIV. MORE SURPRISES XXV. THE CHAPEL XXVI. PREPARATIONS XXVII. A TERRIBLE NIGHT XXVIII. PREPARATIONS XXIX. THE ENEMY XXX. THE ATTACK XXXI. THE PARLEY XXXII. HELP XXXIII. THE SEMINOLES XXXIV. THE RETURN

THE BOY CHUMS IN THE FOREST

OR

Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida Everglades.

CHAPTER I.

Night had fallen upon a wild Florida forest, and all was still save for the hooting of a distant owl and the occasional plaintive call of a whip poor will. In a little clearing by the side of a faint bridle path a huge fire of fat pine knots roared and crackled, lighting up the small cleared space and throwing its flickering rays in amongst the dark, gloomy pines.

At the edge of the clearing, two wiry little Florida ponies, tethered with rawhide ropes, browsed upon the short, dry wire grass.

Nearer to the fire lay a neatly done up pack, and beside it a high pommeled Mexican saddle, while the firelight gleamed on the polished barrels of a fine shotgun and rifle leaning against the pack.

Close to the blaze a heap of glowing coals had been raked a little to one side, and upon them rested a coffee pot and large frying pan from which stole forth appetizing odors of steaming coffee and frying bacon.

The man bending over the coals was heavily bearded and past middle age, but his broad shoulders and huge frame still gave evidence of great strength and endurance. There was about him an air of anxious expectancy, and from time to time he rose from his crouching position and with hand to ear listened intently.

"I sort o' wonder if they'll all fail me," he muttered, as he removed the frying pan from the coals but set it near enough to keep the contents hot.

As if in answer to his soliloquy, there rose above the crackling of the fire, the muffled distant thud of galloping hoofs. A few moments later a well built, sturdy lad astride a mettlesome pony dashed into the circle of firelight.

Throwing the reins over the pony's head, the rider leaped from the saddle and with a rush had the elderly man clasped in his arms in an affectionate hug.

"Captain Westfield!" he shouted in boyish delight.

"Charley West," cried the man, "glad to see you, lad, glad to see you. My! you have grown. How are you, boy?"

"Fine, Captain, couldn't be better. But wait 'till I 'tend to my pony, and we will have a good, long powwow."

With sure swift movements, the newcomer removed saddle, pack, and guns, and staked his pony out near the others. This done he returned to the fire.