as Andy had remarked, "It might
be pretty hard to stop calling a donkey a donkey all the time."

"We'll give the little sneak a chance to turn over a new leaf," was what
Jack had said in return. "I don't believe Codfish is bad at heart--he's
only been traveling in the wrong company."

It was a fair day with the sun coming up clearly over the treetops. It
was still intensely cold, but there was little or no wind, for which the
lads were thankful.

"I suppose you have thinned out the game a good deal right around this
Lodge," remarked Jed Wallop. "You know rabbits and squirrels don't like
to hear the bangin' of a gun. They know mighty well it spells trouble
fer 'em."

A mile was covered before they sighted anything that looked like game.
Then a big fat rabbit ran directly across their path. To give the boys a
chance, Jed Wallop did not fire, and as a consequence the bunny got
away, none of the cadets being quick enough to get a shot at it.

"You've got to have your eyes open if you want to lay low all the game
in these woods," chuckled the old hunter.

"He was too close to us," grumbled Gif. "Why, he was out of sight before
I could think of raising my gun!"

"You mustn't think, Gif. Jest fire and let it go at that," and Jed
Wallop grinned broadly. He was a man who loved company, and he thought
it great sport to be out in the woods with the cadets.

After this they trudged along in silence, each of the lads keeping his
eyes wide open for the possible appearance of any game. But nothing came
to view.

"Now we'll soon be in sight of that old house," announced Jed Wallop
presently. "It's on the other side of this hill."

They topped the rise, and there saw before them a small clearing, beyond
which was a rough mountain road. On the other side of the road was a
thick patch of timber, and in the midst of this stood a long low house
with a wide veranda in front.

"There is the Parkingham house," said Jed Wallop. "And unless I'm
greatly mistaken that's where them Germans are hangin' out."

CHAPTER XXV

TEE MYSTERIOUS HOUSE IN THE WOODS

"We don't want anyone to see us," remarked Jack, as they came to a halt
on the edge of the clearing.

"Oh, them Germans won't know but what you're simply out huntin',"
answered Jed Wallop.

Nevertheless, the boys were anxious to approach the old house
unobserved, and so skirted the clearing and crossed the mountain road,
which at this point was lined with thick pines.