Let's give the old cabin a last
salute, boys. Three cheers and a tiger for Birch Bark Lodge!"

They were given with a will. Even little Mazie added her childish treble
to the volume of sound that went up.

So they pulled out, and left the old cabin tenantless. The gray
squirrels could run over the roof with impunity now; Br'er 'Coon might
wander along his trail down to the water's edge to do a little fishing,
without having a sudden blinding flash startle him out of his seven
senses; while Br'er Fox need not skulk in the dense covert for fear of
meeting roving boys.

But the bear that had fallen down the chimney, and the lordly moose had
better make themselves scarce in that particular neighborhood; because
ere many moons had waxed and waned Josh intended coming back again to
look them up; and the law would no longer protect the shy inmates of the
North Woods against the "sticks that spat out fire and stinging
missiles" whenever they were pointed straight.

The man with the broken leg soon gave out, and had to take to the
stretcher. The sturdy woods guide carried one end and the boys took
turns helping out, so they got along very well.

Mazie and her mother walked alongside, though from time to time the
little sprite would insist on taking Phil's hand; or it might be that of
stout Lub. She had made him promise he would send her his picture when
he got home; and Lub always grinned when X-Ray Tyson or Ethan tried to
joke him about his "new girl."

They arrived at the mountain village, and a vehicle was obtained by
means of which all of them could get out of the region, and in touch
with civilization. When it came to saying good-by to the Merriwells the
boys found it very hard. The gentleman declared they would see them all
again as soon as he found himself perfectly well; for he wanted to know
their families; and doubtless meant to inform these good people as to
the extent of the debt of gratitude he owed Phil Bradley and his
Mountain Boys.

That still more thrilling happenings were in store for the boys whose
fortunes we have been following in the pages of this volume the reader
will learn upon securing the next story of the Series, now published
under the title of "Phil Bradley at the Wheel; or, The Mountain Boys'
Mad Auto Chase."

THE END

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The Mountain Boys Series

1. PHIL BRADLEY'S MOUNTAIN BOYS
2. PHIL BRADLEY AT THE WHEEL
3. PHI