The Flying Saucer Mystery Read Free

toward man. Most won’t attack unless they’re extremely hungry, or are protecting their young, or are frightened or threatened by a human being or another animal.
    “Of course, this doesn’t apply to tigers,” the naturalist added. “They’ll attack for no reason at all.”
    Nancy remarked, “Wildcats and tigers are related, though, aren’t they?”
    “They’re distant cousins. I’m glad there aren’t any tigers in the United States. You know,” he went on, “so far as is known, man is not the natural source of food supply for any other creature. I believe that man’s worst enemy is man himself.”
    Nancy and Ned liked the elderly gentleman more and more. He was not only a naturalist but a philosopher as well.
    “We’re heading for our camp,” Nancy said. “Wouldn’t you like to ride along and meet our friends?”
    Old Joe chuckled. “I’d like that very much, but to tell you the truth, I prefer walking.”
    He and the riders followed the trail which Nancy and Ned had missed, and shortly they arrived at the camp.
    “Oh, thank goodness, you’re all right!” Bess said, hugging Nancy.
    Everyone was overjoyed to see that she and Ned and the horses were safe. They also were delighted to meet Old Joe, who captured their hearts immediately with his quiet sense of humor and evident love of nature.
    The campers had built a fire and now they all sat around it, listening to the comforting crackle, while supper was served to the latecomers.
    “I don’t buy much food from the store,” Old Joe said. “I get practically everything I eat from in the woods.”
    Bess’s eyes opened wide. “You mean you might eat wildcat meat?”
    The man’s eyes twinkled. “No, but I do catch rabbits and groundhogs. One of the best dishes you’d ever want to eat is groundhog stew.”
    That did not sound appealing to Bess, but she kept silent. Old Joe said there was good fishing in the mountain streams and all sorts of delicious berries and plants.
    “One of my favorite dishes is stewed wild rose leaves.”
    Although Bess knew she was being teased, the plumpish girl decided that if she ate some of this natural food, the scale might reflect the benefits. She was always making promises to herself to modify her eating habits, but never actually followed through.
    The rest of the campers were more interested in hearing about Old Joe’s adventures in the forest. He entertained them with wildlife stories including one about his rescue of a bear cub.
    “Got himself caught in somebody’s makeshift trap. I set him free but you know what? He followed me home! Craziest bear I ever met. Well, I figured he was hungry so I fed him and told him to scat. But next morning he was scratching at the door just like a puppy.”
    “Does he still live with you?” Bess asked in amazement.
    “Oh, no. He only stayed with me until he was old enough to go out into the forest and forage for himself. Never did see that bear again, so I imagine he survived on his own.”
    Now the elderly man stood up and said he must get back to his cabin. “I expect all of you to come over and visit me. My little cabin and everything in it is handmade,” he remarked. “I’m rather proud of my accomplishments and I’d like you to see them. You’ve shared your food with me, so now it’s my turn to feed you.”
    The campers thanked Old Joe for the invitation, then said good night. Suddenly George stopped him and asked, “Have you ever seen a flying saucer around here?”
    The campers waited breathlessly for an answer.

3
    Mountain Mishap
    Old Joe looked at the group, startled. “You’ve heard about the flying saucer?” he asked in surprise. “I thought only a few natives knew about that.”
    Nancy told the naturalist that a client of her father’s had contacted him and divulged the secret. “Dad is a lawyer. He said people around here who knew about the flying saucer were afraid to report it for fear of being laughed at.”
    Old Joe smiled. “I think