The Outdoor Chums in the Big Woods by Quincy Allen

Author:Quincy Allen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620136836
Publisher: Duke Classics

Chapter XIV - The Victim of the Bear Trap

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By this time the other boy had discovered their presence. He waved his hand, and begged them not to desert him, as he would soon freeze to death.

Frank had made up his mind no trap had been set for them, but that the agony of the poor fellow was genuine. Accordingly, he started on a run, with Jerry close at his heels.

Without waiting to ask questions, Frank set to work to release the imprisoned boy. While Teddy had been unable to get around to press down heavily enough on the double springs of the bear trap, it was not a difficult job for Frank to do, assisted by Jerry.

At first they almost dreaded to look closely at the leg of the released boy as he sat there in a heap, tenderly caressing it. When Frank did come to examine it, he was pleased to see that, after all, the damage was not so alarming.

"Luckily those springs have weakened with age; and then again the thick leather leggings you're wearing have helped to save you some," he told Teddy.

The leg had been lacerated more or less, and must have been exceedingly painful. Teddy was miles away from camp. He did not have a gun, and Frank began to wonder what could have brought him there. Apparently he must have been in the old bear trap for an hour or two.

"How did it happen, Teddy?" he asked, for information.

"I dunno just how I came to tread in that old trap," the other replied, stopping his whimpering for a minute. "I was just walking along, and thinkin' I'd soon get to Old Joe's, when all at once it grabbed me. I thought at first I was killed. Then when I tried to get at the springs, and it seemed like my leg was beginnin' to freeze, it scared me right bad. That's why I hollered. I thought Joe might hear me."

"Who's Old Joe?" continued Frank.

"Why, you see, he's a man that's runnin' a fur farm over this way," Teddy explained. "He raises skunks for their skins. He was taken with me when he dropped in at our camp, and told me he wisht I'd come over and stay the winter out with him."

"And were you on your way to his place when this happened?" asked Jerry.

The injured boy nodded his head in the affirmative. Frank was now down on his knees and starting to remove the legging. He meant to take a look at the wound, both to ascertain how serious it was, and perhaps do what he could to alleviate the suffering of the other.

"Did your uncle send you over to Old Joe's?" he asked Teddy.

"Bill Nackerson isn't really my uncle, you know, only a relation of some kind; and I'm right sorry now I ever asked him to take me on a hunting trip. I've led a dog's life of it. After he knocked me down after supper last night I just couldn't stand it any longer.

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